The Right Tools for a Dissection Kit

Educators know that a hands-on dissection lab achieves better information retention than learning from textbooks and lectures. It’s an engaging way to learn. Task-specific, complete dissection kits support educators with the right tools to teach anatomy, physiology, and evolutionary adaptations.

What Is a Dissection Kit Used For?

The specialized tools in a dissection set are used to systematically separate all the parts of an organism to study its anatomy and biology, whether it’s an animal, a single organ, or a human cadaver. This experience teaches students how tissues, organs, and various systems function and interact.

What Is in a Dissection Kit?

While kits vary by brand and purpose, most contain the same essential tools. There are also advanced and specialized kits that include additional instruments for specific exploration and practicing medicine.  

Basic Dissection Kits

This is an overview of basic dissection tools and their uses:

• Forceps – Most dissection kits include a few types of forceps, such as dressing forceps, tissue forceps with teeth or serration (e.g., Adson), and retraction forceps to separate structures.
• Scalpels – Scalpel blades and handles are essential for dissection. They allow for precise incisions and cause less trauma to tissues than scissors.  
• Scissors – Ranging from straight to curved, serrated to razor-sharp, and round to pointy at the tip, dissecting scissors are a must-have in any dissection toolkit. They are ideal for making incisions in tight spaces.
• Teaser needles and probes – These tools allow for gentle manipulation of delicate structures without causing damage. There are curved, straight, and specialized shapes.
• Pins – Known as dissection pins or T-pins, these hold specimens in place, pin back tissues, and mark certain parts (sometimes with labels).
• Trays – Several types of trays are useful for dissection labs. Some are designed to contain the specimen and be used as a workspace and/or storage container. Other trays are made to hold tools or collect fluids.
• Ruler – Use a metal or plastic ruler to take measurements and document them for research and comparisons.
• Apron – Wear an apron to protect your clothing and body from inevitable messes, and to prevent clothing fibers from transferring to the specimen.
• Gloves – Gloves are essential personal protective equipment (PPE). Wear them during preparation, dissection, and cleanup. After removing your gloves, thoroughly wash your hands.
• Holding fluid – Holding fluid is sprayed on preserved specimens at different points throughout the dissection process.

Advanced Dissection Kits

Here are some advanced or specialized dissection tools and their uses:

• Suture needles – Advanced dissections may involve suturing practice. Suturing needles come in many shapes and sizes.
• Grooved director – This is a type of probe with a specialized tip, most commonly blunt and forked (i.e., a butterfly probe). There are different tips and shapes for specific purposes.
• Droppers – Use a dropper to apply liquids to dissection specimens, such as a stain, medicine, or preservative. Or use it to transfer or remove liquids from within the specimen.
• Cautery equipment – There are several types of cautery devices. These tools use heat, electricity, chemicals, or radiofrequency to remove or close off tissue. Cauterization is often practiced in dissection scenarios.
• Bone saws and chisels – Advanced dissections may involve reshaping or cutting bones with these tools.
• Kelly clamps and hemostats – These are specialized forceps used to clamp blood vessels and stop blood flow.  
• 3D printed models – Educators use 3D models of body parts, organs, and skeletal structures as a reference to enhance the educational value of specimen dissections. Consider using models with labels and realistic detail.

Specific Kits by Purpose

The contents of a dissection kit vary based on the specimen and the exercise. Here are some nuances of common tools you’ll find in several educational settings. If you need help finding the correct kit for your organization, we can help.

What Dissection Kit Is Best for a Cadaver?

Standard cadaver dissection tools include various scalpel blades, probes, one pair of scissors, blunt and sharp forceps, pins, trays, and PPE. Additional optional instruments are chain hooks (for holding the cadaver in place), specialized razors, cautery equipment, and bone-cutting equipment.

Frog Dissection Tools

Frog dissection kits typically include a preserved frog specimen, scissors, forceps, teasing needles (straight and angled), a scalpel, a tray, and PPE. They may also contain a ruler and a glass dropper.

Organ and Brain Dissection Tools

Anatomy labs commonly include mammal organ lessons, such as pig or sheep brain dissection. The most essential tools to dissect a brain are a scalpel, a tray, and PPE. However, most kits also contain additional instruments such as sharp scissors, teasing needles, small forceps or tweezers, and a ruler.

How to Maintain a Dissecting Kit

Clean, well-maintained dissection kits keep pupils safe throughout years of use. Prevent rust and maximize the lifespan of dissection instruments by cleaning them immediately after use with disinfectant soap, warm water, and friction. You may also use disinfectant wipes containing ethanol or acetone, but this is optional. Dry the tools completely with a clean, lint-free towel or paper towel. Then store the kit in a closed container so it doesn’t gather dust.

To prevent cuts and contamination, always remove scalpel blades from the handles and dispose of them in a “sharps” container before cleaning the handles and other instruments.

Where to Buy a Dissecting Kit and Specimen

With this tool knowledge, you can confidently select the right kit for a safe, exciting learning experience. Anatomy Warehouse has extensive specialized dissection kits, preserved specimens, and dissection guides. Take the guesswork out of finding high-quality educational resources with our curated catalog of high-quality tool kits!