Cat Dissection
Superior Extremity
Preliminary
• As in the dissection of the inferior extremity,
separate or isolate each muscle completely to its
skeletal attachments.
• Remove fascia by probe or blunt dissection
(fingers).
• Make only cuts specified.
• Preserve all blood vessels and nerves as much as
possible.
Neck
External jugular vein
• Begin by freeing the
external jugular vein
on the left side of the
neck.
– Superiorly- it is joined by
the superficial veins of
the head.
– Inferiorly- it disappears
from view into the thorax
between two muscles.
Neck
sternomastoid
Submandibular saliva gland
Parotid saliva gland
• At the inferior point of
the external jugular
vein, the medial of the
two muscles it
disappears between is
the sternomastoid.
Free both edges of this
muscle as it passes
under the jugular vein
and the submandibular
saliva gland.
Trapezius
clavicular
acromial
spinous
• In the cat, this superficial
back muscle is divided into
three distinct portions:
Spinous, acromial and
clavicular.
• Free the inferior edge of
the trapezius and pass a
probe under all three
sections. The probe should
emerge at the clavicular
edge.
• Cut along the probe,
transecting this muscle.
• Reflect back the three
portions to their
attachments.
Latissimus Dorsi
Latissumus dorsi
• This is a wide, glat back
muscle that passes at an
angle across the abdomen
and thorax. Loosen the
inferior edge and free this
muscle before transecting.
Make sure the probe
comes out at the top of
the muscle under the
spinous portion of the
trapezius. Free the
muscle to its skeletal
attachments.
Latissimus Dorsi
Should look like this after cutting.
pectoralis
Latissimus dorsi
• On the side of the cat,
the latissimus dorsi is
fused (joined) to the
pectoralis muscle.
These muscles should
be separated by cutting
forward along along the
seam to the axillary
(armpit) region. The
pectoralis should be
freed, but left intact.
We will cut it later in
the dissection.
Epitrochlearis
epitrochlearis
• Thin muscle on
the medial side
of the upper
arm. Identify
and free the
borders only.
`
rhomboideus
Rhomboideus
• Rhomboideus
transected.
Serratus anterior
Latissimus dorsi
• This muscle forms a
flat, fan-shape that is
Serratus anterior
composed of several
segments. You will
find it under the
latissimus dorsi
between the ribs and
scapula. Free each of
the segments using
your probe to break
pectoralis the fascia.
Serratus anterior
Deltoid- clavicular
Deltoid
7. acromial
• Like the trapezius,
the deltoid is
divided into three
sections:
– Spinous
– Acromial
– Clavicular
6. Spinous
• Transect and
8. clavicular reflect (peel back)
each portion.
Supraspinatus
Infraspinatus
Teres major
Triceps brachii – lateral head (9)
Triceps brachii:
- long head (5)
- medial head (6)
Pectoralis major
Pectoralis minor
Biceps brachii
Brachialis (7)
Vessels and nerves
Vessels and nerves