Name: ______________________________
SHEEP BRAIN LAB
Purpose:
To study the structure and functions of parts of the mammalian (sheep) brain.
References:
Biology – Raven and Johnson, dissection charts, charts, models.
http://www.uofs.edu/sheep/ieframerow.html - Have this website up and running during your dissection.
It has a great deal of info and there is more there than what you need but it also has the support
material you need to complete your dissection.
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~psyc65/sheep%20brain.htm – This is a good source of images especially
the labeled one at the bottom of the page.
Instructions - External Anatomy:
1. Obtain a sheep brain dissection chart from your teacher.
2. Working in a group of two or three, select a whole sheep brain. Lay the brain on the dissecting
tray to view the external surface.
3. Identify the external structures indicated below on the brain. Then label the external anatomy
diagram with all the structures.
cerebellum, cerebral hemisphere, spinal cord, medulla oblongata,
temporal lobe, parietal lobe, frontal lobe, occipital lobe
4. Complete the table for the major external brain regions.
STRUCTURE
Frontal lobe
Temporal lobe
Occipital lobe
Parietal lobe
Cerebellum
Medulla oblongata
Cerebral hemisphere
FUNCTION
5. Observe the convolutions and fissures (indentations) of the surface of the brain. Define the
following terms:
Sulcus (singular) / Sulci
(plural)
Gyrus (singular) / Gyri
(plural)
6. Why does the brain have these sulci and gyri?
______________________________________
7. What is the name for the protective membranes that cover the brain (not visible on the sheep
brain)?
_____________________________________________
Instructions - Internal Anatomy:
1. Select a sheep brain that has been cut in half longitudinally (sagitally). Lay the brain flat on the
dissecting tray so as to view the internal surface.
2. Identify the internal structures indicated below on the brain. Then label the internal anatomy
diagram with all the structures. (Note: the pituitary gland is usually not visible on the sheep
brain)
corpus callosum, medulla oblongata, pituitary gland, ventricle, pons, sulci,
gyri, cerebral cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus, cerebellum, pineal gland
3. Complete the table for the major internal brain structures.
STRUCTURE
FUNCTION
Corpus callosum
Cerebral cortex
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Pons
Pituitary gland
Pineal gland
Instructions – Review:
1. At some point during the laboratory period your teacher will ask you individually to point to five
structures, either internal or external, on the sheep brain. After your structure quiz, return the
brain to the bin, wash all equipment including the dissection tray and hand in this lab sheet
with the brain diagrams labeled.