Step 4: Chest/Abdomen Muscles

Chest Muscles:

The large muscle that can be identified in the chest is the Pectoralis Major. This muscle originates from the sternum and inserts along the humerus of the foreleg.

Pectoralis Major

The next muscle that needs to be isolated is the Latissiumus Dorsi. This muscle originates from the lumbar and thoracic vertebrae in the spine. It inserts underneath the Pectoralis Major to the medial surface of the humerus.



Blunt Probe is pointing to insertion of muscle



Green Lines outline the muscle



Step 3: Isolating Cheek and Neck/Throat Muscles

We chose to begin at the top of the body and work our way down towards the lower section.

We started out by finding the Masseter muscle which is located superficial to the jaw bone. Use scissors to cut up from the chin to expose the lateral side of the cheek. The Masseter muscle is the largest muscle in the cheek and is very superficial.























Neck/Throat Muscles:

The Sternohyoid muscle is located inferior to the chin. After clearing the connective tissue from the throat area, you should find the Sternohyoid. This muscle is symmetrical and is lateral to the Sternothyroid.

The Sternothyroid muscle is medial than the Sternohyoid. It is symmetrical  just like the Sternohyoid.

The Sternomastoid muscle is located deeper than the Sternohyoid and Sternothyroid, and is lateral to the Sternohyoid.

Step 2: Finding Muscles

Basic knowledge about finding muscles on your pig:

1. Dissecting Vocabulary:

• Isolating a muscle- removing any excess connective tissue or fat surrounding the muscle and separating it from other muscles so that your blunt probe can lift up the muscle.

Some muscles like above are very large while others are much smaller

• Reflecting- When a superficial muscle is cut in order to identify deeper muscles that are located underneath it.

Unreflected muscle

Reflected muscle



Originate- The area at which a muscle connects and begins

Insert- The area at which a muscle ends and connects

2. Know the difference between muscle tissue and connective tisse/fat tissue.

• Muscle tissue is striated and a darker color than the connective tissue and fat. Connective tissues are a white-pinkish color, surround the muscles of the body, and need to be removed in order to isolate the muscle. If you can see your blunt probe through the tissue, than it is connective tissue or fat and your can rip through it (but still be careful).



Connective Tissue (blunt probe visible)

 

Muscle (blunt probe not visible)