Squeal or Slay? Test Yourself with This Fetal Pig Anatomy Quiz

The umbilical cord connects the fetal pig to the placenta, allowing the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste between the mother and fetus. It's a critical structure in fetal development, transporting blood between the fetal body and the placenta via umbilical arteries and a vein. This question tests your understanding of prenatal anatomy, which differs from adult circulation. The other options listed are internal organs with unrelated functions.

The kidneys are the organs responsible for filtering blood and producing urine. They remove metabolic waste and regulate electrolyte balance. Each kidney filters about 50 gallons of blood per day in humans. In the fetal pig, kidneys function similarly and are easily identifiable near the dorsal body wall. The liver produces bile, the pancreas regulates sugar levels, and the spleen filters blood for immune function—not urine production.

The epiglottis is a flap-like structure at the entrance of the trachea that covers it during swallowing, preventing food from entering the respiratory tract. It is crucial for ensuring that swallowed food passes safely into the esophagus. Its reflex action is part of the digestive-respiratory interface. The other choices relate to digestion or voice protection but don’t prevent aspiration.

The thymus gland is located along both sides of the trachea in fetal pigs and is larger in fetuses than adults because it plays a vital role in developing the immune system. It produces T-cells, which are essential for adaptive immunity. After puberty, the thymus shrinks significantly. Its position near the trachea often causes confusion during dissection, but its function and location are clear indicators.

The diaphragm is a thin muscle that separates the thoracic cavity (where the lungs and heart are) from the abdominal cavity (where the liver, stomach, and intestines reside). It also plays a critical role in breathing. Its dome shape allows it to contract and expand, creating the pressure changes necessary for inhalation and exhalation. It’s easy to identify in fetal pigs during dissection.

The mesentery is a thin, transparent membrane that anchors the intestines to the back of the abdominal wall. It contains blood vessels that supply the intestines and helps hold them in place while allowing for movement during digestion. It plays a vital structural role and is commonly tested in practicals because of its visibility during dissection.

The gallbladder stores bile produced by the liver and releases it into the small intestine to aid in fat digestion. In fetal pigs, it is tucked under the liver and can be difficult to spot, but it's a small greenish sac. The appendix and cecum are unrelated, and the stomach handles digestion but doesn’t store bile.

The left ventricle of the heart pumps oxygenated blood from the lungs to the rest of the body via the aorta. It has the thickest muscle wall of all heart chambers because it must generate high pressure to distribute blood systemically. The right chambers deal with deoxygenated blood, and the left atrium receives blood from the lungs but does not pump it to the body.

The cerebellum is the brain region responsible for coordinating voluntary muscle movements and maintaining posture and balance. Located at the back of the brain, below the cerebrum, its distinct wrinkled appearance makes it identifiable in fetal pigs. While the cerebrum handles thinking and memory, and the medulla manages basic life functions, the cerebellum specifically refines motion control.

The spleen belongs to the immune system. It filters blood, stores white blood cells, and removes old or damaged red blood cells. In fetal pigs, it’s an elongated structure lying along the stomach's left side. Although close to digestive organs, its primary function is immune-related, often confused due to its placement in the abdominal cavity.