1. Cow Brain Dissection Guide
Good
Luck!!

2. To begin Get gloves. Goggles are available if you would like them.
Pick up dissection tray, dull probe, toothpicks and tape
Obtain a cow brain One per table…2 trays

3. Meninges of the Brain
Brain is protected by the skull and 3 layers of membranes called meninges

4. Observe Meninges
Examine the brain to see if there is a tough outer coat…This is the DURA MATER (literally means “tough mother”)
Now look for the stringy, web-like ARACHNOID MATER (literally means spider mother) beneath and stuck to the dura mater. The space under the arachnoid, the subarachnoid space, is filled with cerebrospinal fluid and contains blood vessels.
Look deeper and see an thin transparent membrane that follows the contour of the ridges (gyri) and valleys (sulci) of the brain. This is the PIA MATER ( means tender mother)

5. Questions??
What is the function of the meninges?
What is meningitis?

6. Main Brain Regions
Identify the cerebrum, brain stem) and cerebellum on your brain
Label structures
Cerebrum
Cerebellum
Brain stem

7. Identify Dorsal Structures
With the dorsal side up, identify the cerebral hemispheres, gyri, sulci,and longitudinal fissure on your cow brain

8. Questions?? What does the longitudinal fissure divide?
What is the difference between gyri and sulci?
What is the purpose of the gyri and sulci?

9. Lobes of the Cerebrum
Find the 4 lobes of the brain-frontal, parietal, occipital,
and temporal
Using toothpicks label each lobe

10. Corpus Callosum
At the longitudinal fissure, gently separate the two hemispheres and look down between them for the thick band of white fibers. This is the corpus callosum
What is its function?

11. Identify Ventral Structures
Place the cow brain ventral side up.
Identify the olfactory bulb, optic nerve, optic chiasm
Using toothpicks
label each structure.

12. Brain Stem
Look at the three parts of the brain stem-the midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata
Use toothpicks to label parts

13. Identify dorsal structures
Carefully pull the cerebellum away from the cerebrum. Don’t break any structures off.
Identify the pineal body

14. Pineal Gland Produces the hormone melatonin at night
Melatonin is the sleep hormone

15. Midsagittal Section Cut the brain in half
Locate the brain stem parts: the medulla oblongata, the pons, cerebrum, and cerebellum

16. Cerebellum
Look at the cross section of the cerebellum. The inner structure is called the arbor vitae (living tree).
Why is this a good name for it?

17. Midsagittal Section
Locate the corpus callosum

18. The End!!