Syllabus page 1 LABORATORY SYLLABUS Comparative Anatomy, 4 credit hours Actual Lab Sessions: Tu/Th 10:40am-1:30pm Independent studies: Mon/Wed/Fri 9:00am-4:30pm; Tu/Th 1:40pm-4:30pm Laboratory manual: Homberger, D.G. & Walker, W.F.: Vertebrate Dissection, 9th edition, 2004. Brooks /Cole Thomson Learning, Belmont, CA. Emphasis: Detailed and organismic understanding of the morphology of the shark and cat as models of a fish and a tetrapod. Instruments for Dissection: Each student must have the proper instruments by the second laboratory session. Students failing to do so will not be admitted to the laboratory sessions until they have procured the proper instruments. 1. One pair of large scissors (5 1/2" total length) with one sharp and one rounded tip 2. One pair of small scissors (4 1/2" total length) with sharp tips 3. One pair of large, straight forceps (5 1/2" total length) with broad, blunt tips, no hooks at the tips 4. One pair of small, straight forceps (4 1/2" total length) with sharp tips, no hooks at the tips 5. One pair of watchmaker forceps 6. One blunt probe 7. One scalpel handle and at least two exchangeable blades 8. One pair of safety goggles 9. Lab coat and non-latex medical examination gloves Note: All instruments must be made of stainless steel; you will be able to use them also in the anatomy courses of professional schools. All scissors and forceps must be straight, i.e., not curved The two tips of forceps must have exactly the same length and must meet exactly. Check each forceps before you buy it. Bonus Points: 1. Students may be able to earn up to 3 points for each structure or anatomical condition that they find to differ from the description in Vertebrate Dissection. Each difference must be documented with a sketch of the normal condition and a labeled electronic file and print-out of the digital image captured with the digital imaging microscope and camera. Instructions on how to use the imaging system will be provided. Each variation must be authenticated and certified by the instructors. 2. They can earn one point for each error they discover in the lab manual. Point Deductions: If a particular structure or region has not been dissected, or has been dissected very badly, up to 5 points may be deducted from the total points for the semester.
Syllabus page 2 Dissection Techniques: Work with two forceps; one picks away tissue and frees specific structures, the other holds the structure in place and counteracts the pulling force of the "active" forceps. Hold the forceps with the precision grip. Use the scalpel only to make sharp incisions, e.g., through the skin of sharks, bisection of large muscles, etc., and to remove the skin of the shark. Never use the scalpel during actual dissections and preparations of structures. For most bisections, especially when you have to be careful not to damage underlying tissues, use scissors. Make sure that you hold the scissors correctly by using your thumb and the middle finger (not the index finger!) and to orient the blunt tip underneath the structure to be cut. If not otherwise stated in the manual, dissect only one side (the same one!) of the animal. General Remarks: Read the pertinent sections in the manual before each laboratory session. It is to your advantage to read also the corresponding passages in the textbook Functional Anatomy of the Vertebrates. Prepare a checklist of the structures that are printed in bold type before each laboratory session. Everything listed in the syllabus has to be read and known for the tests. Try to make sketches of your dissections, even if they are very simple and rough. They will help your memory when you have to get prepared for the exams. Do not use anatomical "picture books" during the laboratory sessions. You have to learn to visualize the structures and their topographical relationship with other organs. You have to get used to the fact that every specimen looks somewhat different. If you keep looking at pictures, you will not be able to understand the three-dimensionality of anatomical structures.
Syllabus page 3 0. Introduction to lab sessions, distribution of materials, and voluntary start of the dissections. 1. External Anatomy; Skull and Appendicular Skeleton of Fishes; and Removal of Skin of Shark Anatomical Terminology, pp. xv-xvi External Anatomy and Integument of Vertebrates, pp. 25-28 External features and Integument of the Spiny Dogfish, pp. 28-29; p. 30 The Cranial Skeleton; Divisions of Skeleton, pp. 38-39 Fishes: Chondrocranium and Visceral Skeleton, pp. 39-47 Dermal bones, pp. 47-48 and Fig. 4-7 on p. 49 Appendicular Skeleton of Fishes, pp. 92-95 Note: See master plan for shark dissection, p. 127 Remove the skin of the shark (technique will be demonstrated; see also Figures 7-7 to 7-8 on pp. 130-131for superficial muscles) Demonstrations: Shark Skeletal Materials: S Chondrocrania in plastic S Skeletons in glass jars S Pectoral and pelvic appendicular skeletons in plastic S Vertebral sections in jar S Shark jaws with teeth Fish Scales: Look at different types: placoid, cosmoid, ganoid, ctenoid, and cycloid Ray: Look at the position of body parts in comparison to that of the shark. Bony Fishes Skeletal Materials: S Skulls of Amia, dried and in jars S Skulls of Lepisosteus S Skull of a perch, a teleost fish (for comparison only) 2. Axial Skeleton and Musculature The Axial Skeleton: Fishes, pp. 80-83 Note: You must dissect the tail of your shark to study the caudal vertebrae. The Muscular System, pp. 115-127 (omit the columns for Necturus and mammals in Table 7-2 on pp. 121-123) Muscles of Fishes, pp. 127-136 Note: You are responsible for the identification, origin, insertion, and function of the muscles. For memorization, make a table with all the information found in the text. 3. Eye; and Inner Ear Eyeball and associated structures, p. 190 and Fig. 8-6 on p. 191 Eye of Fishes, pp. 190-194 Ear, pp. 197-198 Ear of Fishes, pp. 198-199; Fig. 8-14 on p. 200; and p. 201 Note: Wearing safety goggles is required during the dissection of the ear of Squalus. Demonstrations: Human osseous labyrinth model: Learn and understand the major parts of the mammal ear and the main differences to the fish ear. Isolated inner ear of shark 4. Nose; Electroreceptors; Lateral Line Canals; Brain; and Cranial Nerves Sense Organs and Types of Receptors, p. 184 The Nose, pp. 184-185 Nose of Fishes, p. 185; Fig. 8-1 on p. 186 The Lateral Line System and Electroreceptors, pp. 187-190 Nervous System; Neurons and Glial Cells; Divisions and Components of the Nervous System; Development and Divisions of the Brain; pp. 206-209 Fishes: Dorsal Surface of the Brain, pp. 209-212 Cranial and occipital nerves, pp. 212-221 Ventral Surface of the Brain, pp. 221-222 (see demonstration; do not remove the brain from the braincase of your shark) Ventricles of the brain, p. 222 and Fig. 9=4 on p. 211 (see demonstration of sagittal section of shark brain) Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves, p. 222
Syllabus page 4 Functions of the Spinal Cord and Brain, p. 223 Demonstrations: Ratfish (Chimaera) with open lateral line canals Ventral surface of shark brain Sagittal section of shark brain 5. Inner Organs The Coelom, etc., pp. 249-252 (up to the bottom paragraph of left column) Embryonic Development of the Digestive and Respiratory Systems, pp. 252-255 (omit Fig. 10-3 on p. 253 and middle paragraph of left column) Fishes: Pleuroperitoneal cavity and its contents, etc., pp. 255-265 6. Circulatory system I Cardiovascular and Haemolymphatic Systems, pp. 290-292 Study of Blood Vessels, pp. 292-293 Circulatory system of fishes, Fig. 11-3 on p. 293 and pp. 294-302 7. Circulatory system II; Heart Circulatory system of shark (continued), pp. 302-306 Internal structure of the Heart, pp. 306-308 Pericardioperitoneal Canal, p. 308 Note: For the exam, you have to be able to trace an imaginary drop of blood from any point of the circulatory system to any other point. You have to learn the circulatory system as if it were a road map. 8. Excretory and Reproductive Systems General Structure and Function of the Excretory and Reproductive Systems, pp. 346-348 Embryonic Development and Evolutionary History of the Kidneys, pp. 348-350 Sex Determination, p. 351 Embryonic Development and Evolutionary History of the Reproductive System, pp. 351-353 and Fig. 12-7 on p. 254 Study of the Excretory and Reproductive Systems, p. 353 Urogenital System of Fishes, pp. 354-358; Fig. 12-10 on p. 359 9. REVIEW and Survey of Protochordates and Agnatha Note: Understand the basic construction and identify the typical chordate organs of Protochordates and Agnatha Distinctive Features of Chordates and Chordate Relationships, pp. 1-2 and Figure 1-2 on p. 3 Subphylum Tunicata and External Features, p. 5, Fig. 1-5 on p. 6, and bottom paragraph of left column on p. 7 Subphylum Cepalochordata and External Features, pp. 7-8, Fig. 1-7 on p. 9, Fig. 1-8 on p. 11, and Fig. 1-9 on p. 12 Notochord of Amphioxus, p. 10 Distinctive Features of Craniates and Basal Vertebrates, pp. 14-15 External features of Adult Lamprey, pp. 15-16, Fig. 2-3 on p. 17, and Fig. 2-5 on p. 19 Demonstrations: Cross section of Salpa and Molgula Amphioxus Myxine sp. Ammocoetes Life history of the brook lamprey (Ichthyomyzon sp.) Lamprey 10. FIRST PRACTICAL EXAM 11. Skulls of Tetrapods Review: Cranial Skeleton and Divisions of the Skeleton, pp. 38-39 Head Skeletons of Amphibians and Reptiles, pp. 48, pp. 50-51, p. 54, and Table 4-2 on pp. 52-53 Note: You will understand the above section better after you have learned all the skulls presented in this lab session. Skull of Necturus, pp. 54-57 Handout: Head skeleton of bullfrog (excluding Figure D) [from Jollie (1962): Fig. 4-21. p. 83] Reptile Skull (lizard, turtle, alligator), pp. 57-63 Handout: Skull of turtle [from Jollie (1962): Fig. 4-9, p. 72] Handout: Skull of alligator [from Jollie (1962): Fig. 4-10 on p. 73 and Fig. 4-11 on p. 74] Evolution of Mammal Skull, pp. 63-66 Head skeleton of mammals, pp. 67-79 Handout: Human skull [from Walker & Homberger (1993) in A Study of the Cat, Fig. 2-12, p.25 and Fig.
2-15, p.31]; to supplement the study of mammal skulls. Handout: Skull of human being [from Young (1963): Fig. 79, p. 191, & Fig. 80, p. 192] Comparison with demonstrations of various mammals, including human beings Review: Skulls of Squalus and Amia Demonstrations: Various skulls of mammals, including human beings; birds; and reptiles, including snakes Syllabus page 5 12. Review of Tetrapod Skulls; Postcranial Skeleton Postcranial Axial Skeleton of Mammals, pp. 85-86 Postcranial axial skeleton of cat and rabbit, pp. 86-91 Appendicular Skeleton of Amphibians and Reptiles, pp. 95-103 Handout: Skeleton of Necturus [from Carolina Biological Supply Company 1967]. Appendicular skeleton of mammals, pp. 103-114 (omit the names of individual carpal and tarsal bones, except the talus and calcaneus) Note: For the exam, you have to be able to recognize particular vertebral types (cervical, thoracic, etc.) and to distinguish the left from the right bones of all paired bones, except the ribs, in mammals. Demonstrations: Mounted skeletons of various mammals Mounted skeleton of alligator Mounted skeleton of snake Mounted skeleton of turtle Pectoral and pelvic appendicular skeleton of Necturus in plastic Isolated bones of various mammals 13. External Anatomy; Removal of the Skin; Muscles Review: External anatomy, pp. 25-28 External anatomy of the cat, pp. 33-37 Review: Muscular system, pp. 115-127 Muscles of mammals, pp. 144-145 Muscles of the cat (Cutaneous Muscles, Caudal Trunk Muscles, etc., up to Trapezius and Sternocleidomastoideus Muscle Complexes), pp. 145-150 Omit (for later): Epaxial muscles, pp. 148-149 Note: You are responsible for the identification, origin, insertion and function of the muscles. For memorization, make a table with all the information found in the manual. Homologies of mammal muscles to shark muscles (Table 7-2, pp. 121-123) Demonstrations: Various integumentary structures of tetrapods 14. Muscles of the Cat (up to Muscles of the Antebrachium), pp. 150-157 Note: When bisecting the pectoralis musculature, make sure to leave the underlying nerves and blood vessels intact for future dissection. 15. Muscles of the Antebrachium, pp. 157-162 16. Pelvic Appendicular Muscles, pp. 162-173 Omit (for later): Iliopsoas complex, pp. 168-169 17. Epaxial and Cranial Trunk Muscles Epaxial muscles, pp. 148-149 Cranial trunk muscles, pp. 173-176 18. Hypobranchial and Branchiomeric Muscles, pp. 176-183 Omit (for later): Intrinsic muscles of the larynx, p. 183 19. SECOND PRACTICAL EXAM 20. Coelom and Inner Organs Coelom and Digestive and Respiratory Systems, pp. 249-255 Mammals, p. 272 Digestive and respiratory organs of cat, pp. 272-286 Intrinsic muscles of the larynx, p. 183, and Handout for figure Handout: Cat larynx [Fig. 7-9 from "A Study of the Cat", p. 173] Iliopsoas Muscle Complex, pp. 168-169
Syllabus page 6 M. transversus thoracis, p. 173 21. Circulatory system I Review: The Cardiovascular and Haemolymphatic Systems, pp. 290-293 Circulation of mammals, pp. 318-322 The Heart and Associated Blood Vessels of the Cat, pp. 322-324 Arteries and Veins Cranial to the Heart, pp. 325-333 Demonstration: Circulation of fetal pig (see pp. 320-322) 22. Circulatory system II Arteries and Veins Caudal to the Heart, pp. 333-337 Blood Vessels of the Abdominal Viscera, pp. 338-339 23. Circulatory system III; Heart Blood Vessels of the Pelvic Region and Hind Legs, pp. 339-341 Bronchi and Internal Structure of the Heart, pp. 341-343 Note: Look at the bronchi and coronary blood circulation of the cat without removing the heart. Take the sheep's heart to look at the internal structure of the heart. Lymphatic System, pp. 344-345 Note: You are responsible for being able to trace a drop of blood from any point of the circulatory system to any other point. 24. Urogenital system Excretory and reproductive systems, pp. 346-353 and Fig. 12-7 on p. 354 Urogenital system of mammals, pp. 361-379 Demonstrations: Testis of domestic mammal Cat embryos and placenta Comparison of different uterus types Pouch and embryos of opossum 25. Peripheral nervous system Review: Iliopsoas Muscle Complex and Adjacent Muscles, pp. 168-169 The Nervous System, pp. 206-208 (up to Development and Divisions of the Brain) Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves and Nerve Plexuses, pp. 244-245 Brachial Plexus and Lumbosacral Plexus, pp. 244-248 26. Central nervous system Review: Development and Divisions of the Brain, pp. 208-209 Brain of mammals, pp. 225-227 Meninges, pp. 227-228 Sheep's brain, pp. 228-244 (excl. Dissection of the Cerebrum on pp. 237-240) Handout: Ventricles of the brain of a dog [from Textbook of Veterinary Anatomy (Dyce, Sack & Wensing), Fig. 8-72 on p. 305]. Review: Foramina of the skull, pp. 73-75 Demonstration: Brain of human being 27. THIRD PRACTICAL EXAM