Dissection Terminology & Safety

Tools• Dissecting pan• Scalpel (blade)• Pins• Forceps• Probe• Teasing needle• Scissors

• Scalpel- used to make incisions

• Pins- used to hold an area open or pinned back

• Scissors- used to cut through tissue.

• Pan- holds specimen

• Forceps- to grasp at structures

• Probe-to search for structures

• Teasing Needle- for gently scraping tissue.

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Terms

• DORSAL- “back” • VENTRAL- “belly”

• SUPERIOR- “above” • INFERIOR- “below”

• ANTERIOR- “front” • POSTERIOR- “rear” sometimes called caudal.

-relative location:

• PROXIMAL-”near” • DISTAL-”far”

• SUPERFICIAL- “near surface”

• DEEP- “below the surface”

Planes of Symmetry

• TRANSVERSE- bisects top & bottom halves.

• SAGITTAL- bisects left & right sides.

• LATERAL- “side” • MEDIAN- “middle”

• PELVIC- “hip region” • PECTORAL- “chest region”

Safety

• Why should you be careful with scalpels, scissors & pins?

• Why should you wear gloves & goggles?• Why should long hair be tied back?• Why should you avoid wearing open-toe shoes?• Why is there no food or drink allowed in a lab?• Why is focus & appropriate behavior important in

a dissection laboratory?