5 Anatomical Dissections for High School Anatomy You Need to Be Doing

May 4, 2022

If you are on the fence about anatomical dissections, then jump on the side of yes! Dissections can be a scary venture, BUT they are so interactive and worth the effort. Prefer an anatomy virtual dissection? These are great too and can be used in lieu of an actual dissection for those students who prefer to opt out. After reading this blog post, you will learn about the 5 anatomical dissections that you need to be doing in your anatomy classroom.

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Anatomy and Physiology Dissections

Chicken Wing

I typically do this during the skeletal system along with the joints. This is a great way to have students see how the bones are connected and allow them to manipulate the parts. Students are able to see the different bones such as the humerus, radius, and ulna. The joints are also visible. Students get a kick out of dissecting this especially since you can just purchase them from the grocery store.

Cow Heart

This is such a cool dissection to incorporate into class during the cardiovascular system unit. Students are in awe of how large a cow’s heart is and seeing how similar it is to a human heart. All of the major arteries and vessels are able to be seen end person which makes teaching the flow of blood more relatable. It’s also a great visual for students to see the four chambers of the heart and where the blood flow pumps and is received from the body.

Sheep Brain

This is my all-time favorite dissection to do with my students. I do this during the nervous system unit in anatomy and it never disappoints. This is the first true organ that my students are exposed to dissecting and after this one they are asking when the next one is. I love showing the students how small a sheep’s brain is in comparison to a human brain and how all of the parts are similar they are slightly arranged differently due to the differences in the animal versus us.

Cow Eye

This is a “messy” one, but my students love this dissection. They squeal and say “that’s so cool” and I am here for it! It is a very easy dissection, but students learn so much about the eye that I have to include it every semester!

Sheep Kidney

The urinary system is not the most exciting system, so this dissection definitely brings some life to it. Students are able to see the cortex, medulla, and blood vessels. It truly ties together the structure with the function.

BONUS: cat/pig

Every semester I end the class the last few weeks with a cat dissection. This encompasses every body system and students can really tie together all of the anatomies they have learned throughout the semester with the physiology. I have never done a pig, but other teachers do this in place of a cat and it would have the same benefit. I hope you have found these anatomical dissections ideas helpful!

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