Observation of the Neck Region of the Fetal Pig

Locate and observe the thymus gland, larynx, trachea, esophagus and thyroid gland.

Move the skin apart in the neck region to expose the neck region.  You may have to make lateral incisions to pull the skin back.  Cut through the muscle to expose the thymus gland.  The thymus gland is part of the immune system.  Certain white blood cells (T Lymphocytes) mature in the thymus.

Click Here to see the Neck Region

Probe into the deeper layers of the neck.  Toward the center, under several layers of muscle, you will find the larynx and the trachea.  The larynx is also called the voicebox.  The larynx sits over the trachea, also called the windpipe.  The esophagus is located dorsally to the trachea.  The esophagus connects the oral cavity to the stomach.

The thyroid gland is located posterior to the larynx and on top of (ventral to) the trachea.  The thyroid gland secretes hormones, including thyroxine.

  What does the hormone thyroxine control?

  What are hormones?

On to the Thoracic Cavity

Scalpel Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com