Tag: cat

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Cat Heart – In Situ

An “in situ” view is one that leaves the structure in it’s original place.  In the view below, the heart of the cat has been cut to reveal the left and right ventricle.  Note that the left ventricle has a much thicker muscular wall.  This is because it …

Uterine Horns

In cats and many animals that have multiple embryos, the uterus is divided into two sides called the uterine horns.  The ovary can be found at the end of each horn.  In humans, this structure is homologous to the Fallopian Tubes.  The photo below shows only the right …

Iliolumbar Artery

The iliolumbar arteries are named for their location, supplying blood to the lumbar region of the back and the ilium of the  of the pelvis.  They branch from the abdominal aorta just above where it splits into the external and internal iliac arteries.

Cat Muscles – Sartorius, Gracilis, and Semitendinosus

The sartorius muscle is the longest muscle in the human body, extending from the hip to the inside of the thigh.  On the cat, this muscle is much more compact, and covers the thigh and knee joint as a superficial muscle.   It is shown on the photo …

Pectoralis Muscles of the Cat

This cat illustrates the three pectoralis muscles:  the pectoantebrachialis, the pectoralis major, and the pectoralis minor.    One way to find the pectoantebrachialis is to stretch the forelimbs of the cat which will reveal the bordering fascia.  This muscles goes straight across the chest and to the forelimbs. …

Stomach and Duodenum


Heart – Coronary Vessels

This image of the heart shows a close-up view of the coronary vessels that are located on its surface.  The cat has been injected with latex to color the vessels (blue for veins, pink for arteries.)  Also visible is the pulmonary artery and the aorta.

Muscles of the Chest

The pectoralis muscles are divided into three sections:  pectoantebrachialis, pectoralis major, pectoralis minor. The xiphihumeralis is named for its connection between the humerus and the xiphoid process of the sternum.  


The esophagus is simple to find on diagrams, usually shown as a long tube leading from the mouth to the stomach.   On preserved specimens the esophagus can be challenging to locate.   It is soft tissue that lies next to the trachea (identifiable by the cartilage rings) …

Mesenteric Artery

Finding the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries takes patience.  Carefully tease away the connective tissue around the large intestine and find where it attaches to the abdominal aorta.   A = abdominal aorta B = celiac trunk C = superior mesenteric artery D = inferior mesenteric artery