Salmon Head Dissection

In lab last week, we had to dissect salmon heads, boil it then glue the bones back together. I haven't started gluing yet, but I know I will have a tough time trying to put the pieces back together. My first thought was that the dissection part should be too hard, but boy was I wrong.

As I started to cut away at the skin, I wasn't aware that there were so much cartilage and tiny bones everywhere. I basically cut a hole through the right side of the skull so I knew I had to be super careful from then on. I successfully removed most of the skin and flesh. The next step was to take out the eye without cutting into any of the bones around it. The only time I've ever taken out an eye was during my rat dissection in the 12th grade. I was able to take out the right eye successfully! So proud of myself!

I boiled what was left of the head for about 4 minutes, then brought it back to my desk and cleaned off the rest of the bones. I organized it by sides so when it was time for me to glue the pieces back, it would be a little easier. I tried the keep the bigger pieces together, but the bones were so fragile. They are now sitting sitting on my desk in the lab waiting for me to glue them back together. I am looking forward to this challenge and I hope I can do it well!

Posted on October 14, 2012 08:14 PM by huangt3