Physiology 2 Name

Redwood High School Class Period

Mammalian Brain Anatomy Lab

Background
Mammalian brains have many features in common, and since human brains are not readily available, sheep and/or
dog brains are often dissected as an aid to understanding mammalian brain structure. However, the adaptations and
ecology of these animals differ from those of the human, so that comparisons of their structural features may not be
precise.

Focus Questions
• What are the major anatomical features of sheep brains?
• What are the important similarities and differences between sheep and human brains?

Pre-Lab
Using textbook pages 236-250 and the 3D brain app (http://www.brainfacts.org/3d-brain - intro=false&focus=Brain)
complete the table below, providing a brief description of the function for each of the structures listed.
Structure Function
Cranial and Spinal
Meninges
Cerebrospinal fluid
Transversal and
Longitudinal Fissures
Sulcus

Gyri

Cerebral cortex

Gray matter

White matter

Cerebellum

Pons

Medulla Oblongata

Thalamus

Hypothalamus

Pineal gland

Corpus callosum

Olfactory bulb

Optic chiasma

Optic nerves
 Oculomotor nerves

Trigeminal nerves

Procedure

A. External Anatomy
1. Obtain a preserved sheep brain. Rinse it thoroughly in water to remove the preserving fluid.

2. Examine the surface of the brain for the presence of the protective layers called meninges. Locate the following: dura
mater – the thick, opaque outer layer; arachnoid mater – the delicate, transparent middle layer, which is attached to
the undersurface of the dura mater and the pia mater – the thin, vascular layer that adheres to the surface of the
brain. Find the location of cerebrospinal fluid.

Locate 5 of the blood vessels shown below. List their functions in the space below.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Carefully cut and remove the meninges without damaging other brain structures.

3. Conduct a series of quantitative measurements on your brain. These should include: volume (ml); total length (mm);
total width (mm), thickness of the gray matter in the cerebral cortex (use the scalpel to gently scrape it until you
expose the white matter below). Measure any two (2) additional dimensions or structures that you feel are
significant. Record measurements in the space below.

 Measurements.
Volume Total Length Total Width Gray Matter
(ml) (mm) (mm) Thickness
(mm)
The average weight of an adult ewe (female sheep) is 160-180 lbs. The average weight of an adult female human (in the
U.S.) is 166 lbs. The average adult human brain has a:

 volume of 1,450 ml. This is ______________ times the volume of the preserved sheep brain.

 length is 167 mm. This is _______________ times the length of the preserved sheep brain.

 width is 140 mm. This is ________________times the width of the preserved sheep brain.

What are possible explanations for this significant difference in brain size between humans and sheep?

How is gray matter thickness connected to the folding structure of the brain (presence of gyri, sulci and fissures)?

Would you expect the brain to receive more blood or less blood compared with a similar sized region of muscle tissue?
Explain your prediction.

What is the function of the cranial nerves? Why are they associated with the brain stem?

12. Position the brain with its ventral surface down in the dissecting tray. Carefully observe the brain, comparing it with
the available diagrams. Make an accurate, scaled biological drawing. Label the following structures: cerebral hemispheres;
gyrus/sulci; longitudinal fissure; frontal lobe; parietal lobe; temporal lobe; occipital lobe; cerebellum; and medulla oblongata.

 Drawing: Ventral Surface Down Scale:

5. Gently separate the cerebral hemispheres along the longitudinal fissure. Identify the corpus callosum, which appears
as the transverse band of white fibers within the fissure that connects the hemispheres.

6. Bend the cerebellum and medulla oblongata slightly downward and away from the cerebrum. Identify the pineal
gland in the upper midline.

7. Position the brain with its ventral surface upward. Carefully observe the brain, comparing it with the available
diagrams. Make an accurate, scaled biological drawing. Label the following structures: longitudinal fissure; olfactory bulbs;
optic nerves; optic chiasma; optic tract; pituitary gland (may be missing); and pons.

8. Although some of the cranial nerves may be missing, small and difficult to find, use available diagrams to locate as
many as possible. Label as many of the following as possible: oculomotor nerve; trochlear nerve; trigeminal nerve; abducens
nerve; facial nerve; vestibulocochlear nerve; glossopharyngeal nerve; vagus nerve; accessory nerve; and hypoglossal nerve.
 Drawing: Ventral Surface Up and Cranial Nerves Scale:
B. Internal Anatomy
9. Using a long, sharp knife, cut the brain along the midline to produce a median (or midsagittal) section. Carefully
observe the brain, comparing it with the available diagrams. Make an accurate, scaled biological drawing. Label the
following structures: cerebral cortex; white matter; gray matter; olfactory bulb; corpus callosum; brain stem; optic chiasma;
pituitary gland; thalamus; hypothalamus; pineal gland; pons; and medulla oblongata.

10. Perform any other incisions required to observe all the structures labeled on the first page. If one hemisphere is
damaged during an incision, perform it again on the second one.

11. Research and perform a prefrontal leucotomy, also called a lobotomy. Add the incision pathway to your median
section drawing. Display it as a dotted line.
  Drawing: Median Section Scale:

Dispose of your brain as directed. Clean and dry your dissecting equipment.

Analysis and Conclusions

1. Compare the structure of the sheep brain with the structure of the human brain. How are those anatomical differences
related to the differences in brain function between humans and sheep?

2. Identify the functional sequence of brain structures involved in the actions described below:
Choose either a or b:
a) You take a sip of freshly brewed coffee and say ‘this has too much sugar in it’
b) You tell your mother that the spaghetti sauce she is cooking ‘smells just like Grandma’s

Choose either c or d:
c) You hear a lecture on brain structure and function in physiology class and correctly answer an analysis question
on that topic the next day
 d) You read about brain structure and function in your textbook and correctly answer an analysis question on that
topic the next day

Choose either e or f:
e) You are driving a car and stop at a red light.
f) You are driving a car and swerve to avoid a car that honks at you.