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Biolab > Training > Maintenance > Dissections

Dissections

A. Preparation | B. Gathering Supplies | C. Scalpels | D. Clean-up | E. Animal Disposal

A. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

After researching all necessary content about your animal as well as how to dissect it:

  • Lab coats - we will reuse the lab coats each week. Choose a coat that is the correct size and write your name on the coat.
  • Wipe down the goggles and let them dry.
  • Put on the:
    1. goggles,
    2. face mask,
    3. gloves, and
    4. lab coat
B. Gathering Supplies

Once you have on your PPE, go to the back of the room:

  1. Select a large and/or small dissection tray and place it at your workstation.
  2. Select a brown tray and place the dissection tools on it:
    • Scissors – fine-tipped & medium
    • Probes
    • Forceps – fine-tipped & regular
    • Pins
    • Bone-cutting shears (for horseshoe crab Lab 9)
    • Cloth tape measure & ruler (Labs 10-12 only)
    • Weigh boats (Labs 10-12 only)
  3. Place the brown tray on the dunnage rack at your workstation.
  4. At the front of the room, use the small green container to transport one #10, #15, or #22 scalpel (depending on the size of your animal) to your workstation; place the scalpel in its green container on the brown tray.
C. Scalpels

We will use disposable scalpels #10 (medium), 15 (smallest), or 22 (largest) depending on the size of your animal. They are all curved and said to have a "belly" and are used for making incisions. The sharpest area on these blades is the apex of curve at the belly and it is that region that is used for making the incision.

  • To use the scalpel:
    •  #10 and # 22 use the “palmar” or “violin grip” in which you have your index finger atop the handle, and use your other fingers to hold the body of the handle, with the back part of the handle under your palm.
    • #15 - the “pencil grip” is preferred and allows for precision with your “stab” incision or for those tight/deeper spaces.
  • Carry the scalpel in the small green container when transporting it to different locations.
  • DO NOT:
    • walk around the laboratory with the scalpel in your hand.
    • use scalpel blades without a handle. The handle serves as a means to control the blade and puts a barrier between your hand and the sharp edge.
    • "saw".
    • use excessive force. Bending or breaking sharps increases your risk of sustaining a puncture wound.
    • leave them on the lab counter when not in use or unattended. Place them in the small green container, on the brown tray that is on the metal dunnage rack.
    • carry in your lab coat.
  • Minimize "two-handed techniques":
    • Passing scalpels and scissors from one person to another, are common examples of "two-handed" techniques that can lead to hand injuries with contaminated sharps. Eliminate these techniques whenever possible, or modify the technique to eliminate the risk to the non-dominant hand.
    • One person in the group should be in control of the scalpel. Other group members should have their hands as far away from the cutting area as feasible and pay attention to the person handling the scalpel.
    • If a scalpel must be passed between personnel:
      1. Place the scalpel in the small green container.
      2. The other person retrieves it from the green container.
D. Clean-up
  1. Place the animals in the lined 5-gallon bucket.
  2. Scalpels – we will reuse the disposable scalpels with plastic handles each week.
    1. In the small green container, carry the scalpel to the sink.
    2. Rinse the scalpel under running water.
    3. In the small green container, carry the scalpel to the main scalpel tray.
    4. Place the scalpel on the main scalpel tray at the front of the room.
    5. Wash and dry the green container and place it next to the main scalpel tray.
  3. Metal dissection tools:
    1. Carry the dissection tools to the sink on the brown tray.
    2. Wash the tools.
    3. Carry the dissection tools on the brown tray to your student station.
    4. Dry the tools.
    5. Place the tools back on the correct tool tray at the back of the room.
  4. Dissection tray and brown trays need to be washed with soap and water then dried and placed in the correct spot on the back bench.
  5. Wipe down your workstation using soap and water and then with the disinfectant wipes.
  6. PPE – take off:
    1. gloves and mask and dispose of them in a garbage respectable.
    2. goggles and put them back in the google tub.
    3. lab coat, fold, place onto the top shelf of the coat rack.
  7. Wash your hands.
E. Preserved Animal Disposal

After the laboratory is over, the instructors will complete the following: 

  1. Line a 5-gallon screw top lid bucket with the black bags available.
  2. Have the students place their dissected animals in the lined bucket.
  3. Once all the animals are in the lined bucket, weigh the bag. If it is more than 20 lbs, split the contents into the second lined bucket.
  4. Seal the bag(s) shut by tying or taping.
  5. Now place the bag of animals in a second/third bag to reduce the chances of leaks and tie or tape that bag shut.
  6. Remove the bags from the bucket and label:
    • Date
    • Course and Lab section #
    • Your last name
    • Weight in pounds, not to exceed 20 lbs
    • Animal type (invertebrate or vertebrate)
  7. Place the bag(s) in the chest freezer (in the black tote to limit leakage).
  8. Faculty: take the frozen bags to the Animal Care Facility for incineration.