This section of the program describes the first skin incisions
made through the frog's ventral surface (belly).
Begin the First Skin Incision
Once the legs of the frog are securely pinned to the dissection
tray you can start your first incision:
- Use the forceps to lift the skin midway between the rear
legs of the frog.
- Using the scalpel, make a small cut through the lifted
skin.
This cut should be made in the along the center, or midline,
of the frog, bisecting it equally.
Continue Skin Incision
Now, using the scissors, continue the incision up the midline
all of the way to the frog's neck. Be very careful not to cut
too deeply.
Finish the First Skin
Incision
When your scissors reach the frog's neck, you have cut far
enough.
(1.4MB) First Skin Incisions.
Cut Above Front Legs
Using either the scissors or the scalpel, make horizontal
incisions through the skin between the front legs.
Cut Above Rear Legs
Still using either the scissors or the scalpel, make horizontal
incisions through the skin just above the rear legs.
(3MB) Horizontal Incisions Between the frog's Legs.
Separate Skin & Muscle
Once you have finished the incisions between the front and rear
legs of the frog you need to separate the skin flaps from the
muscle below. To do this:
- Pick up the flap of skin with the forceps, and
- Use a scalpel to help separate the skin from the muscle below.
Pin Skin Flaps
Once the skin flaps have been cut back to the point pictured
above, all you need to do is pin them to the dissection tray.
(1.9MB) Separating the Skin and Muscle and Pinning
the Skin Flaps to the tray
You're now ready to begin the next step, Muscle
Incisions. Or, you can Return
to the Main Menu.
© 1994 Mable Kinzie. All rights reserved.
Let's Practice: First Skin Incisions