Tips on Dissection of Internal Organs

Parotid gland – The parotid gland will be lost if great care is not taken in its dissection. This gland is very thin and looks like somewhat dark, lobular connective tissue, just under the skin. See p. 39 of the FPDG (Fetal Pig Dissection Guide).

Vagus nerve – The vagus nerve is a large, parasympathetic cranial nerve. It may easily be found in several locations in the fetal pig. Why is the vagus nerve sometimes surgically cut? See p. 51, 53 & 55 of the FPDG.

Adrenal glands – The adrenal glands of the fetal pig do not have the same shape of location as those of the human.
Instead of being a cap on the kidneys, in the fetal pig the adrenal glands are small, slender, elongated organs found near the aorta in the area of the cephalic end of the kidneys. See p. 45 of the FPDG.

Fallopian tubes and uterus – The pig has a bicornate uterus, which means that it has two horns, in addition to a
body. These uterine horns are quite long and slender, and may be confused with the Fallopian tubes. The Fallopian tubes are even smaller, and are found on or near the surface of the ovaries. See p. 57 of the FPDG.

---