_b. Skull._ The cranium is opened, after the removal of the scalp,
in the usual way, by cutting with the scissors into the posterior
angle of the anterior fontanel and then introducing the shears into
the longitudinal sinus, and cutting the latter posteriorly in the
line of the sagittal suture. The sinus is then opened anteriorly.
The sutures between the frontal and parietal bones, and between the
parietal and occipital bones, are now cut with the shears down to
the level of the greatest circumference of the cranium. The cranial
bones with the adherent dura are then pressed outward from the
brain, and are either held in this position or cut through with the
bone-shears so that sufficient room for the removal of the brain is
afforded. The anterior falx is then cut and the brain removed as in
the adult, using great care because of its very soft consistence.
When too soft to be removed the brain may be opened within the skull;
or a horizontal section may be made with the large, flat brain knife
at the level of greatest circumference. Some prosectors freeze the
brain before removal, or remove it while the cadaver is immersed in a
strong solution of brine.
_c. Section of Thorax, Neck-organs and Abdomen._ A small block of
wood is placed beneath the lumbar vertebræ, and the main-incision
reaching from thyroid cartilage to the pelvic crest is made, the
incision passing to the left of the umbilicus, and diverging outward
below it so as not to cut the left umbilical artery. The incision is
now extended through the abdominal wall into the peritoneal cavity,
the right half of the abdominal wall turned up so as to expose the
umbilical vein, which is cut loose from the abdominal wall, so
that a second diverging incision can be made through the abdominal
wall, beginning just above the umbilicus and passing down to the
right of the right umbilical artery, without cutting the umbilical
vein. There is left between the two diverging cuts a triangular
flap of abdominal wall (see Fig. 47) containing the umbilicus,
urachus and umbilical arteries, and connected with the liver by the
umbilical vein. The umbilical vessels are then probed and examined
by transverse sections; and the triangular flap of abdominal wall
turned down over the pubis. After the height of the diaphragm has
been noted the thorax is opened by cutting the ribs outside of the
costochondral articulations so as to give more room. The thymus gland
is then examined and removed. The heart may be opened in the same
way as in the adult, extending the cut into the pulmonary artery up
to the ductus arteriosus, which is examined by the probe. The ductus
arteriosus is easily found by cutting the pulmonary artery in the
middle of its anterior wall. In the median line beyond the right and
left branches of the pulmonary artery is the opening of the duct,
which can be probed into the descending aorta. (See Fig. 48.) The
heart may then be removed, and the foramen ovale carefully examined.
[Illustration:
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