Guided Dissection of the Bovine Eye

This demonstration video is intended as a tool to teach our outreach volunteers how to undertake an eye dissection lesson in the classroom. The video also serves as a preview for those who wish to have a dissection performed for their classroom (or community group). In addition to the video, you can also read our dissection training manual here.

At minute 25:34, Prof. Yin begins the eye dissection again to demonstrate the iris, lens, and ciliary muscles (which are responsible for dilating and contracting the pupil).

At minute 31:09, Anna Shen and Lori Vogel briefly discuss the handout that comes with the kit. This handout shows students how the lens is actually made up of an enormous number of tiny epithelial cells. It also illustrates why a lens exhibits such an immense degree of clarity: Its epithelial cells are so perfectly aligned that they allow light to easily pass through the lens.

For another step-by-step walkthrough of a cow eye dissection, please see the Exploratorium’s Cow Eye Dissection webpage and their diagram of the cow eye.

Coming Soon.

Handout #1: The blind spot and why we have it

Handout #2: Photomicrograph of a thin section of a dog lens

SUPPLEMENTS

The Exploratorium’s step-by-step dissection overview

The Exploratorium’s in-depth, step-by-step guide to cow eye dissection (with a glossary of terms)

The Exploratorium’s diagram of the cow eye