Brain Dissection

In this lab, we dissected a sheep's brain. We started by removing the meninges, a layer of tissue that surrounds the brain and forms the blood brain barrier. Then, we observed the outside of the brain, identifying and labeling (with pins) several different structures we could see. After that, we cut the brain in half by severing the corpus callosum and identified more structures inside. Finally, we took a cross section of the brain in order to see the white matter, which is an area containing more neurons, and gray matter, which contains fewer.
This dissection was very interesting. Even though I knew that the corpus callosum was the only thing connecting the two hemispheres, it was still surprising to look down in between the hemispheres and see only one small white thing at the bottom holding them together. I also liked looking at the white and gray matter, as it was interesting to see where the neurons were most concentrated.

Picture and drawing of outside of brain

*Black pin is posterior, white pin is anterior

Part of Brain	Pin Color	Function
Brainstem	Silver	Filtering/directing information, breathing, circulation, digestion
Cerebellum	Green	Motor control, coordination, muscle memory
Cerebrum	Yellow	Integrating/interpreting data

In a neuron, myelin surrounds the axon, helping the signal to go faster.

Picture and drawing of left hemisphere

Part of Brain	Pin Color	Function
Pons	Silver	Breathing/digestion
Medulla oblangata	White	Balance/coordination
Optic Nerve	Green	Sending information from eyes to brain
Midbrain	Blue	Filtering/directing information
Thalamus	Yellow	Sorting data
Hypothalamus	Black	Maintaining homeostasis
Corpus callosum	Red	Communication between hemispheres

Picture and drawing of brain cross-section