Essays
Carolina Mammal Kidney Dissection Guide
TM
Capsule Cortex Medulla Pyramid Papilla Column Hilus Renal artery Renal vein Major calyx Minor calyx Pyramid Arcuate artery Arcuate vein Interlobar artery Interlobar vein Ureter Pelvis Sinus
C80137
CarolinaTM Mammal Kidney Dissection Guide
Overview
The Carolina Mammal Kidney Dissection Guide is a general set of instructions for dissecting mammal kidneys. With each type of kidney, there will be differences in the size of the structures and kidney regions, but the general structures and their relative location will be the same or very similar.
Safety
Follow safe laboratory practices when performing any dissection. Wear safety glasses or goggles, gloves, and lab aprons when dissecting. Perform dissections on a dissecting tray or pan to contain specimens and fluids. Be careful when using sharp instruments, such as scalpels, forceps, teasing needles, and scissors.
Procedure
1. Review the glossary provided at the end of this dissection guide. Refer to the diagram of the kidney as a general reference as you observe and identify external and internal structures. 2. Observe the renal capsule. This structure is made up of dense, irregular connective tissue and provides protection as well as helps maintain shape. Remove any adipose tissue that may be attached to the capsule. 3. Locate the hilus. This is an indentation where the ureter and blood vessels enter and exit the kidney. Remove excess adipose tissue to observe the ureter more closely. The renal artery and vein may be difficult to locate; they were severed close to the hilus when the kidney was removed from the animal. 4. Make a frontal section through the kidney. Locate the cortex and medulla. The medulla lies below the cortex. Observe and record the appearance of each region. 5. The medulla consists of numerous conical structures called renal pyramids. The base of each pyramid lies next to the cortex, while the tip forms a renal papilla. Each papilla
TM
Capsule Cortex Medulla Pyramid Papilla Column Hilus Renal artery Renal vein Major calyx Minor calyx Pyramid Arcuate artery Arcuate vein Interlobar artery Interlobar vein Ureter Pelvis Sinus
C80137
CarolinaTM Mammal Kidney Dissection Guide
Overview
The Carolina Mammal Kidney Dissection Guide is a general set of instructions for dissecting mammal kidneys. With each type of kidney, there will be differences in the size of the structures and kidney regions, but the general structures and their relative location will be the same or very similar.
Safety
Follow safe laboratory practices when performing any dissection. Wear safety glasses or goggles, gloves, and lab aprons when dissecting. Perform dissections on a dissecting tray or pan to contain specimens and fluids. Be careful when using sharp instruments, such as scalpels, forceps, teasing needles, and scissors.
Procedure
1. Review the glossary provided at the end of this dissection guide. Refer to the diagram of the kidney as a general reference as you observe and identify external and internal structures. 2. Observe the renal capsule. This structure is made up of dense, irregular connective tissue and provides protection as well as helps maintain shape. Remove any adipose tissue that may be attached to the capsule. 3. Locate the hilus. This is an indentation where the ureter and blood vessels enter and exit the kidney. Remove excess adipose tissue to observe the ureter more closely. The renal artery and vein may be difficult to locate; they were severed close to the hilus when the kidney was removed from the animal. 4. Make a frontal section through the kidney. Locate the cortex and medulla. The medulla lies below the cortex. Observe and record the appearance of each region. 5. The medulla consists of numerous conical structures called renal pyramids. The base of each pyramid lies next to the cortex, while the tip forms a renal papilla. Each papilla