- Securely fasten your specimen in a dissecting tray with its ventral side up. Cut two strings that are long enough to go completely around the dissecting tray. Tie one end of each string to the pig’s left fore- and hind legs (the ones toward your right). Bring each string under the tray to the opposite side. Enlist the help of your lab partner to hold the specimen’s legs as far apart as possible while you securely tie the strings to the corresponding right leg (on your left).
- Carefully use scissors or a scalpel to cut through the skin and musculature as shown in the figure below. Follow this diagram closely and work slowly to avoid damaging any organs. The two anterior-most cuts are made just under the rib cage and two sagittal incisions are made posterior to the umbilical cord. Exact placement of these cuts prevents damage to the diaphragm and the male’s penis respectively.
- Also be extremely careful when making the cuts into the male’s scrotum. The male reproductive organs are relatively superficial and can be easily damaged After completing these cuts you should locate and cut the umbilical vein, which connects the umbilical cord to the liver.
- The two flaps of flesh on either side can either be pinned back or cut off. You may also need to rinse and/or drain the preservative fluid, coagulated blood and latex from the abdominal-pelvic cavities. If there is still fluid in the cavity, blotting it with a few paper towels can help to dry it out and get a better view of the specimen.