This section will describe the procedures for making the
incisions through the frog's abdominal muscles.
Begin 1st Muscle Incisions
Begin the incisions in the abdominal muscles in the same
way as when cutting through the skin:
- Use the forceps to lift the muscle midway between the rear
legs of the frog.
- Use the scalpel to start the incision in the direction of the chin.
Continue Muscle Incision
Now, using the scissors, continue the incision up the midline
all the way to the frog's neck. Be careful not to cut too
deeply. The muscle is thin and you don't want to damage the
organs underneath.
Turn Scissor Blades
This is very important. When you reach a point
just below the front legs, turn the scissor blades sideways to
cut through the bones in the chest. This should prevent damage
to the heart or other internal organs.
Finish 1st Muscle Incision
When your scissors reach a point just below the frog's neck you
have cut far enough.
(2.1MB)Incisions Through the Muscle Wall.
Make 2nd Muscle Incisions
Next, using either the scalpel or scissors, make horizontal
incisions through the muscle between the front legs.
Second Muscle
Incisions
Still using either the scissors or scalpel, make
horizontal incisions just above the back legs.
(2.5MB) Incisions Between the frog's Legs.
Separate Muscle & Organs
To open up the abdominal area you need to pull back the muscle
flaps. To do this:
- Hold the flaps of the muscle with forceps, and
- Use a scalpel to separate the muscle from the tissues below.
Pin the Muscle Flaps
Once the muscle flaps have been separated from the underlying
tissue, they must be pinned back. This will allow easy access to
the frog's internal organs.
(1.5MB) Separating the Muscle Flaps and Pinning them to the tray
Open Triangular Flaps
To
finish opening up the frog's body cavity, fold back the
triangular flaps of skin and muscle which are above the front
legs. To do this:
- Hold the flap of muscle and skin with the forceps, and
- Use a scalpel, if necessary, to help separate the flaps from the underlying tissues.
Pin the Triangular Flaps
As above, once the muscle flaps have been separated from the
underlying tissue, they must be pinned back to allow access to
the body cavity.
(4.1MB) Separating the Triangular Flaps of Skin.
You are now ready to begin exploring the various Organ
Systems in the frog. Or, Return
to the Main Menu.
© 1994 Mable Kinzie. All rights reserved.
Let's Practice: First Muscle Incisions