Sheep Brain Dissection
Suggested Time
Time30–45 min
Span1– Class Period
Ideal Group Size
2 students per group
Safety Supplies (Required)
Safety Supplies (Recommended)
ViewRecommended Dissecton Supplies
General Dissection Resources
Videos
External Brain Anatomy
- Place the brain in the dissecting pan, dorsal surface up.
- Observe the dura mater, or outer meninges (if present). The remaining meninges, pia mater and arachnoid mater, form a thin covering that adheres to the surface of the cerebrum. Use forceps to gently remove these layers.
- Observe the external anatomy of the brain. Use figure 1 and identify:
- Cerebrum
- Cerebellum
- Spinal cord
- Medial longitudinal fissure
- Right and left hemispheres
- Examine the ventral surface of the brain. Identify the olfactory bulbs and optic nerve.
Refer to figure 2.
Internal Brain Anatomy
- Place the brain in the dissecting pan, dorsal surface up.
- Using a scalpel, cut along the medial longitudinal fissure, extending the cut down the cerebellum and spinal cord to separate the brain into 2 longitudinal halves.
- Observe the internal anatomy of the brain. Use figure 2 and identify:
- Arbor vitae—the branching white matter in the cerebellum
- Brain stem
- Ventricles—cavities in the brain
- Medulla
- Pons
- Pineal body
- Thalamus
- Corpus callosum
- Cut a cross section of the frontal lobe and identify:
- White matter
- Gray matter
- Follow all cleanup and disposal instructions.
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