Cat Dissection by Aditi Nair

Cat Muscles

1238001 — 2025-01-30 21:50:08 UTC

Human Muscles Diagram

1238001 — 2025-01-30 21:54:26 UTC

Journal- 1/23/25

1238001 — 2025-01-30 21:54:57 UTC

Today in class we removed the cat from the bag and time only allowed for us to remove some of the fat from the thoracic region. We also used paper towels to dry the cat, as it was still wet from the fluids it was packaged in. I also learned in the short time that the Pectoantibrachialis and Xiphihumeralis are not present in humans.

Journal- 1/30/25

1238001 — 2025-01-30 21:55:03 UTC

Today, our group continued removing fat from the thoracic region of the cat. We focused on the Pectoantibrachialis, which was easily distinguished once the fat was cleared. The Pectoralis major and Pectoralis minor were found superior to the Xiphihumeralis, and Pectoralis Major continues to run under the Pectoantibrachialis. While we worked on the anatomical left side of the cat, we realized that we accidentally cut too deep, losing all of the muscles we were looking for. So we moved to the anatomical right side and continued. Mrs. Cochran was able to help us differentiate between the fat and muscle. Although we cut off most of the Xiphihumeralis thinking it was fat, we were able to save a small bit of it.

Journal- 2/4/25

1238001 — 2025-02-04 22:02:30 UTC

The main focus was to reveal the superfical back muscles in class today. While the latissimus dorsi is found in both cats and humans, the three trapezius muscles are unique to cats, as humans have a single trapezius muscle instead. We removed the overlying fat and fascia, to reveal the clavotrapezius which is the most anterior, followed by the acromiotrapezius in the middle, and the spinotrapezius extending posteriorly, all working together for scapular movement. Compared to humans, cats have more segmented trapezius muscles, likely due to their four leg posture and greater reliance on scapular mobility for movement.

Journal- 2/4/25

1238001 — 2025-02-04 22:08:49 UTC

Time allowed for us to move into the superfical shoulder muscles. These muscles are distinct in cats, with the clavobrachialis aiding in forelimb movement, the levator scapulae ventralis elevating the scapula, and the acromiodeltoid and spinodeltoid working together to control shoulder movement. Unlike humans, who have a single deltoid muscle, cats have a more segmented deltoid structure, due to their four leg structure.

Cat Muscles

1238001 — 2025-02-04 22:48:25 UTC

Human Muscles Diagram

1238001 — 2025-02-04 22:49:05 UTC

Cat Muscles

1238001 — 2025-02-04 22:49:57 UTC

Human Muscles Diagram

1238001 — 2025-02-04 22:50:12 UTC

Cat Muscles

1238001 — 2025-02-06 21:30:24 UTC

Human Muscles Diagram

1238001 — 2025-02-06 21:30:53 UTC

Journal- 2/6/25

1238001 — 2025-02-06 21:47:53 UTC

Me and my partner reflected the Acromiotrapezius away from the posterior midline and the Spinotrapezius toward the posterior midline to expose the deeper muscles. We also removed excess fat to better visualize the Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus, which lie superior and posterior to the scapula, while the Teres major was found inferior to them. I also learned that the Rhomboideus capitis is not found in humans. The Rhomboideus cervicis and Rhomboideus thoracis connected the scapula to the vertebrae. The Subscapularis, located on the anterior side of the scapula, medially rotates the humerus.

Cat Muscles

1238001 — 2025-02-11 21:22:57 UTC

Cat Muscles

1238001 — 2025-02-11 21:25:21 UTC

Cat Muscles

1238001 — 2025-02-11 21:25:37 UTC

Human Muscles Diagram

1238001 — 2025-02-11 21:25:56 UTC

Journal- 2/11/25

1238001 — 2025-02-11 21:26:07 UTC

Today we reflected the Latissimus dorsi toward the acromion to expose the deeper back muscles. After removing excess fat, the Longissimus dorsi and Spinalis dorsi were visible running along the spine, with the Longissimus dorsi being more lateral and the Spinalis dorsi positioned closer to the midline. The Serratus ventralis, which functions similarly to the human Serratus anterior, was found attaching the scapula to the ribs. We had to remove some fat from under the muscle. In humans the Spinalis dorsi is not a separate muscle, but is part of the larger spinal group.

Cat Muscles

1238001 — 2025-02-11 21:27:04 UTC

Cat Muscles

1238001 — 2025-02-11 21:27:23 UTC

Human Muscles Diagram

1238001 — 2025-02-11 21:27:44 UTC

Journal- 2/11/25

1238001 — 2025-02-11 21:27:49 UTC

Time allowed for us to reflect the Xiphihumeralis, Pectoralis minor, and Pectoralis major toward the sternum to expose the abdominal muscles. After removing fat, the External oblique was revealed as the most superficial layer, covering the sides of the abdomen. The Rectus abdominis ran longitudinally along the midline. The Transverse costarum, which is not found in humans, was located near the upper chest, running transversely across the ribs.

Cat Muscles

1238001 — 2025-02-13 22:44:04 UTC

Cat Muscles

1238001 — 2025-02-13 22:46:03 UTC

Cat Muscles

1238001 — 2025-02-13 22:46:13 UTC

Cat Muscles

1238001 — 2025-02-13 22:46:29 UTC

Human Muscles Diagram

1238001 — 2025-02-13 22:47:01 UTC

Journal- 2/13/25

1238001 — 2025-02-13 22:47:16 UTC

To remove the tight fascia in this area I had to use forceps, a probe, and scissors, to strategically cut to expose the muscles. The Gluteus maximus was the most superficial, covering part of the Gluteus medius, which lay deeper and was larger in the cat than in humans. The Caudofemoralis, which is not found in humans, was positioned just inferior to the Gluteus maximus and extended toward the tail.

Human Muscles Diagram

1238001 — 2025-02-13 22:49:21 UTC

Journal- 2/13/25

1238001 — 2025-02-13 22:49:36 UTC

We reflected the Biceps femoris toward the posterior midline to reveal deeper thigh muscles. After carefully removing fat, the Semitendinosus and Semimembranosus were visible beneath the Biceps femoris, forming part of the hamstring group. Then we reflected the Sartorius and Gracilis toward the groin to expose the the Adductor femoris. This muscle is not found in humans as a distinct muscle, this was located between the Gracilis and Semimembranosus, while the Adductor longus was positioned more anteriorly. The Tensor fasciae latae was found laterally, aiding in thigh movement, and the Sciatic nerve was exposed running deep along the posterior thigh.

Cat Muscles

1238001 — 2025-02-20 20:28:43 UTC

Cat Muscles

1238001 — 2025-02-20 20:28:53 UTC

Cat Muscles

1238001 — 2025-02-20 20:29:02 UTC

Cat Muscles

1238001 — 2025-02-20 20:30:18 UTC

Cat Muscles

1238001 — 2025-02-20 21:16:08 UTC

Cat Muscles

1238001 — 2025-02-20 21:17:49 UTC

Human Muscles Diagram

1238001 — 2025-02-20 21:48:56 UTC

Journal- 2/20/25

1238001 — 2025-02-20 21:49:27 UTC

Today we began by removing the fascia and fat from the anterior thigh. We removed the Tensor fasciae latae to reveal the Vastus lateralis, which was positioned on the lateral side of the thigh. The Vastus medialis lay on the medial side, with the Rectus femoris running between them along the midline. As I cleaned the area, I realized that the Vastus intermedius was not visible as it is located deep to the Rectus femoris. All the quadriceps muscles found in the cat are also present in humans, with no unique muscles in this group.

Human Muscles Diagram

1238001 — 2025-02-20 21:49:55 UTC

Journal- 2/20/25

1238001 — 2025-02-20 21:49:59 UTC

We folded the skin of the cat out of the way and removed some facia to reveal the muscles we were looking for. The Tibialis cranialis was located on the anterior side of the lower leg, while the Gastrocnemius, a large calf muscle, was found on the posterior side. As I cleared away the fat, I noted that the Tibialis cranialis in the cat corresponds to the Tibialis anterior in humans but differs in name.

Human Muscles Diagram

1238001 — 2025-02-20 21:50:22 UTC

Journal- 2/20/25

1238001 — 2025-02-20 21:50:27 UTC

We made a cut at part of the Pectoantebrachialis and reflected the Clavobrachialis toward the cranium to expose the brachium muscles. After removing the surrounding fat, the Biceps brachii was visible on the anterior side of the humerus, while the Brachialis lay laterally beneath it. On the posterior side, the Triceps brachii long head and lateral head were exposed, with the long head positioned medially and the lateral head on the outer side. All of these muscles are also found in humans.

Human Muscles Diagram

1238001 — 2025-02-20 22:09:36 UTC

Journal- 2/25/25

1238001 — 2025-02-20 22:09:59 UTC

Since most of the fat and fascia had already been removed in the last class, we got to focus on identifying each muscle in the superficial antebrachium. The Brachioradialis was very thin and required careful, strategic removal of any remaining fat to make it fully visible. The Extensor carpi radialis (longus & brevis) was found running along the lateral side of the forearm, with the Extensor digitorum communis and Extensor digitorum lateralis positioned more medially, while the Flexor digitorum profundus, Flexor carpi ulnaris, and Flexor digitorum superficialis lay on the anterior side. The Extensor digitorum lateralis is not found as a distinct muscle in humans.

Human Muscles Diagram

1238001 — 2025-02-24 00:31:10 UTC

Cat Muscles

1238001 — 2025-02-25 22:31:23 UTC

Cat Muscles

1238001 — 2025-02-25 22:33:32 UTC