Cat Dissection Lab Preparation for Anatomy & Histology Course

Screen capture of an anatomical reference section for anatomy.

Reference: Amy Aulthouse, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Department of Biological and Allied Health Sciences, Ohio Northern University, Phone: (419) 772-2660, email: a-aulthouse@onu.edu

I developed an interactive Flash learning module on cat anatomy for the Anatomy and Histology Laboratory. Through needs analysis I learned that students often felt they did not have enough time in laboratory and access to the specimens. The interactive online Flash learning module was made available to students 24/7 and included progressively downloaded video of neuromuscular anatomy as well as animated illustrations of anatomical concepts. It included video preparation that demonstrated how to wash, skin and properly dissect the specimen. My role in this project involved not only identifying the need and creating the visual media for the course, but writing a grant to obtain the video and lighting equipment needed to develop the content. I created a follow-up survey which revealed that the students greatly appreciated the learning module. In fact, the following quarter, it was back by demand. My photography and Flash skills included set up of cross-polarized light, mounting and control of video camera, editing of video, design and programming of the Flash interface, encoding of cue points within video to match up with navigational buttons for jumping to various spots within the video, graphic illustration and animation and production of a CD.

The OFIC grant that I wrote - was for four pilot projects. This project was one of them.

illustration of the median sagittal plane and parasagittal planes, cutting from front to back.

illustration of the dorsal direction pointing toward the back of a cat

washing the cat scene, with cat being held over a large sink

illustration of the cut lines for dissecting a cat, running from the base of the neck to umbilical, and radiating down each leg

tools for dissection, scissors and rounded pick, being held over a dead cat

landing page for hind limb dissection of a cat

still frame from the biceps femoris dissection, pointing to muscle edge

still frame showing nerves of the cat, tagged with black string