The Left Side of the Story — A Complete Canine Thoracic Dissection That Puts the Heart Center Stage

The Erler-Zimmer Canine Thoracic Cavity Left Side is a premium, 3D Printed anatomical specimen model presenting a left-side dissection of the thoracic cavity and cranial abdomen of an adult dog, with the left lung removed to fully expose the heart and surrounding mediastinal structures in their natural topographic relationships. This specimen spans an exceptionally broad anatomical range, from the aortic arch and brachiocephalic trunk in the cranial mediastinum, down through the diaphragm to the retrodiaphragmatic abdominal organs and the initial branches of the abdominal aorta. No other single specimen offers this breadth of continuous thoracoabdominal context in one preserved preparation. Contact us today to add this essential teaching specimen to your veterinary anatomy collection.

From Aortic Arch to Celiac Trunk — Designed for Thoracic, Cardiac, and Abdominal Anatomy in One Specimen

This model is purpose-built for veterinary programs that need to teach the structural continuity between the thorax and cranial abdomen — a relationship that is clinically critical but rarely demonstrated effectively with models or diagrams alone. With the left lung excised and the cranial and accessory lobes of the right lung preserved as anatomical landmarks, the heart is displayed in full topographic context, surrounded by the intact mediastinum and its contents. The specimen extends caudally through a preserved diaphragm to reveal retrodiaphragmatic organs including the liver and stomach, as well as the celiac trunk and cranial mesenteric artery arising from the abdominal aorta. For courses covering thoracic surgery approach, cardiothoracic anatomy, or abdominal organ topography, this specimen provides a uniquely integrated teaching resource that bridges multiple systems in a single preparation.

The Specimen That Connects the Thorax, Heart, and Abdomen — All at Once

Teaching thoracic anatomy in isolation leaves students with gaps they only discover in the clinic. The VP9050 was built to close those gaps before students ever scrub in.

• Veterinary anatomy courses gain a single specimen that spans cranial mediastinum, cardiac anatomy, diaphragm, and cranial abdominal organs — allowing instructors to teach thoracoabdominal topography as the continuous, integrated region it truly is.
• Veterinary surgery programs benefit from a left-side approach dissection that directly mirrors the surgical access used for left-sided thoracic procedures, giving students a clear pre-operative anatomical reference.
• Cardiology and cardiothoracic courses can use the exposed heart, tricuspid valve apparatus, moderator band, and pulmonary outflow tract to teach cardiac structure in the context of its surrounding mediastinal relationships — not in isolation.
• Physiology and systems integration courses will find the preserved celiac trunk, cranial mesenteric artery, and abdominal aortic hiatus invaluable for connecting vascular anatomy across the thoracoabdominal junction.
• Backed by a 5-year Erler-Zimmer manufacturer warranty and produced to ISO 9001 quality standards, this specimen is built to remain a reliable teaching resource across many years and student cohorts.

What Makes This Model Unlike Any Other Thoracic Cavity Model

• Left-side surgical approach dissection with the left lung removed and right lung lobes preserved in situ as reference landmarks — directly relevant to real left-sided thoracic surgical access in clinical canine practice.
• Aortic arch branches clearly identifiable, including the brachiocephalic trunk and left subclavian artery within the cranial mediastinum — essential for vascular anatomy instruction and surgical planning courses.
• Diaphragm fully preserved with crural attachments and aortic hiatus intact, bridging the thoracic and abdominal cavities and showing the spatial relationship between the two regions in a way no illustration can replicate.
• Retrodiaphragmatic organs retained, including the liver, stomach, celiac trunk, and cranial mesenteric artery — extending the teaching value of this specimen well beyond the thorax and into cranial abdominal anatomy.
• Cardiac dissection included with the right atrial wall removed to expose the tricuspid valve, chordae tendineae, papillary muscles, moderator band, right ventricular outflow tract, and open left atrial lumen — giving this specimen dual value as both a thoracic and cardiac anatomy resource.

Technical Specifications of the Product

• Product dimensions: Lifesize
• Included with purchase:
  • 1 x Canine Thoracic Cavity Left Side Specimen Model (VP9050)