This dissection explores the external and internal anatomy of a mouse, focusing on identifying major organs from the digestive, respiratory, circulatory, and urogenital systems. The activity highlights the structural features of mammalian organs and their functions.

• Follow instructions provided in the links below.

Mouse dissection - Unisciel:

Mouse Dissection || Of Mice and Men [EDU] - Silvergrass Institute:

📄 Dissection lab - Charlotte Powley: https://myportfolio.warwick.ac.uk/view/view.php?id=206319

📄 Virtual Simulation of Mouse Anatomy and Procedural Techniques - PMC PubMed Central: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3753786/

• Compare mouse anatomy with rat anatomy to note differences such as the presence of a gallbladder.
• Use diagrams to trace digestive, respiratory, and circulatory systems.
• Conduct a comparative study with other vertebrate dissections (frog, bird, or fish).

• Gloves and a lab coat required.
• Handle scissors and scalpels with care; always cut away from yourself.
• Pin back tissues carefully to avoid injury and damage to organs.
• Treat the specimen with respect—it was once a living animal.
• Dispose of the specimen and waste according to lab procedures.
• Wash hands and disinfect tools and trays thoroughly after the dissection.

• What is the largest organ in the mouse’s anatomy and why? (The intestines, as they provide surface area for nutrient absorption and water extraction.)
• Why do rats lack a gallbladder while mice have one? (Rats produce bile continuously due to their larger liver and diet, whereas mice rely on bile storage in the gallbladder.)
• How does blood flow through the mammalian circulatory system? (It is a closed, double-loop system: oxygenated blood flows from lungs to the left heart and body, while deoxygenated blood returns to the right heart and lungs.)
• What adaptive advantages do mammals have compared to other vertebrates? (Live birth instead of egg-laying, fur for insulation, and four strong limbs for stability and mobility.)
• How are the circulatory and respiratory systems protected in mammals? (By the ribcage, muscles, and skin which provide structural support, cushioning, and barriers to damage and infection.)