Explain why the thymus gland in the fetal pig is so large relative to that in an adult pig? The thymus is so large because the pig is still a fetus and will shrink as the pig matures . Just like in humans, as an infant your thymus gland is very large and shrinks as you age.
Why is the thymus gland larger in fetal pigs?
In the young pig, the thymus is large because it is a critical in the development of the immune system . Later in life, the thymus decreases in size and becomes fairly unimportant.
What does the thymus do in a fetal pig?
The thymus gland lies along both sides of the trachea from the larynx towards the heart. The thymus gland is the site of T lymphocyte (white blood cell) maturation , and thus plays an important role in immunity. The thymus consists of a right and left lobe which are joined by connective tissue.
What does the thyroid gland do in a fetal pig?
The thyroid gland is a small reddish structure lying over the trachea more anteriorly in your pig. The thyroid gland is the source of thyroid hormones (thyroxin and triiodothyronine) and is a key endocrine gland regulating metabolism among other things .
Would you find a thymus gland in an adult pig?
Stomach, spleen, bile duct system, small intestines, kidneys, bladder, etc. – the remainder of the abdominal organs found in the fetal pig are basically the same as found in humans. Thymus – the thymus is found in the same areas in pigs as in humans .
What color is the thyroid gland in a fetal pig?
The thyroid gland is darker and lies between the posterior ends of the two lobes of the thymus gland. Figure 14. The surrounding tissues have been separated to reveal the thyroid gland. Continue separating the tissue with a probe until the trachea and esophagus are exposed.
Why is it necessary for the trachea to have rings of cartilage?
In the trachea, or windpipe, there are tracheal rings, also known as tracheal cartilages. Cartilage is strong but flexible tissue. The tracheal cartilages help support the trachea while still allowing it to move and flex during breathing . ... These are the first and last rings in the trachea.
What structures together allow or modify blood flow in the fetal pig to bypass the lungs?
Lungs, however, in a fetal pig, a ductus arteriosus allows blood to bypass the lungs and go directly to the aorta.
How does fetal pig blood circulation differ from blood circulation in a fully developed pig?
Fetal circulation is different from adult circulation. In the fetus, blood doesn’t get oxygenated in the lungs ; it gets oxygenated at the placenta. ... The blood entering the right atrium is the most oxygenated blood in the fetal heart, but it’s the least oxygenated blood in the adult heart.
What is the function of the umbilical cord in a pig?
Carries blood through the umbilical cord low in oxygen and food from the fetus to the placenta of the mother . folds of the peritoneum that connect the intestines to the dorsal abdominal wall, especially found around the jejunum and ileum.
What is the airway from mouth to lungs in a pig?
Locate the epiglottis, a cone-shaped structure which closes when a pig swallows. The small opening in the center of the epiglottis is the glottis and it leads to the trachea and then to the lungs.
Which is the largest organ in the fetal pig?
1. The largest organ in the abdominal cavity is by far the liver , just below the diaphragm (the flap of muscle separating the abdominal from the thoracic cavity). Notice the umbilical vein connecting the umbilical cord with the liver. Cut this vein so you can lay the umbilical cord back between the pig’s hind legs.
What does the pancreas look like in a fetal pig?
It is located attached to the posterior wall of the cavity. The pancreas is a glandular organ, so it will look very much like a gland– covered in a thin translucent film , almost like a bag. The pancreas is located dorsal to the spleen and within a fold of the duodenum and stomach.
What does the thymus do?
The thymus makes white blood cells called T lymphocytes (also called T cells). These are an important part of the body’s immune system, which helps us to fight infection. The thymus produces all our T cells before we become teenagers.
Is pig skin like human skin?
The skin of pigs is composed of an epidermis and dermis with characteristics like those of human skin .
Are humans closer to pigs or chimps?
Why not chimpanzees or apes or orangutans, our closest ancestors? However, recent research in the last ten years has discovered that pigs could be , in fact, one of our closest ancestors and that we share a remarkably similar DNA. ... McCarthy had theorised that humans are most likely a hybrid of chimpanzees and pigs.
