5 Anatomy Dissection Procedures to Help Make Them Run Smoothly

June 15, 2022

Having dissection procedures for your anatomy class is a necessity for them to go smoothly. I always discuss these in great detail before the first dissection, but always review them prior to each subsequent one. In this blog post, I will discuss the 5 anatomy dissection procedures that I use and expect my students to follow so that we can all enjoy the fun.

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Dissection Procedures

I am very routine and strict with following the procedures set in place for dissections because it is important when we are dealing with specimens and sharp dissecting utensils. Students know ahead of time that if the procedures are not followed, then they will not participate and receive a zero. By taking this stance very early on in the semester, students understand the importance of safety and I have never had an issue.

Procedure # 1: All safety equipment must be worn at all times.

All group members must wear safety glasses and they must be covering their eyes (not propped on their heads). The dissection trays are already prepared for the group and members need to wear the gloves provided too. If you would like to wear an apron, you may but this is not required.

Procedure # 2: No horseplay

Students are not allowed to horseplay by running around the room, throwing specimen parts, stabbing the specimen, etc. The animal and the parts should be treated humanely. Also, students should be very careful of knives and other sharp tools.

Procedure # 3: When in doubt ask/tell the teacher

All accidents should be reported to the teacher immediately. There may be a specific protocol for cleaning up an accident that students may not be aware of. No matter how big or small the accident is, students should report it to you. This includes things such as slicing a finger with one of the scalpels, dropping a piece of the specimen on the floor, etc.

Procedure # 4: ALL group members must be active participants

Whether the students are touching the specimen or simply observing, all members of the group must be actively participating. This includes the actual dissection as well as the lab assignment and clean-up duties.

Procedure # 5: All members will follow the cleaning duties assigned to them

I have found this to be the best way to have the dissection and their tables cleaned up. During the first dissection of the year, students choose their dissection groups. Each group must complete a form with a list of duties of who is responsible for specific tasks. These duties include cleaning, drying, and returning dissection utensils. Another is the clean, dry, & return the dissection trays. A third duty is to wipe up, clean out, & dry the sink used to clean out the trays and utensils. Lastly, a student must disinfect the table with Clorox wipes & put away all safety glasses for the group. Each group has 4 members, could be fewer if you have a smaller class. If so, then some members will have to double up on duties. I also have students pick an alternate person for each of the duties in case someone is absent. I laminate these papers and pass them out to the groups during each dissection so they remember who should be doing what to clean up.

Dissection Rules

Students LOVE dissection days because it brings in a real-life component to what we are learning. Check out this post on the 5 Dissections You Should be Doing In High School Anatomy for some great ideas. Discussing in detail the procedures and rules of dissections emphasizes that safety is the top priority to ensure we all enjoy the dissections. Once I have explained that I am not trying to take away the fun, but to allow them to HAVE fun by following the protocols, they are usually on board.

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