Frog Anatomy
Scientists and students routinely use frogs in dissection experiments, largely due to the fact that frog anatomy is quite similar to human anatomy. Strange as that may sound, frogs are invaluable tools for beginning anatomy learning experiences.
Frog anatomy is unique in that it does resemble human systems in many ways. Organs, skeletal, muscular, respiratory, excremental, digestive and sensory systems are all part of frog anatomy, just as they are in humans. Naturally, a human is much more complicated and complex, but the basics are very alike.
There are also some anomalies in frog anatomy that puzzle scientists. Certain intrinsic features, such as a long, sticky tongue, seem natural to meet the dietary requirements of the frog. Specialized bone structures in their legs are perfectly aligned for the jumping and leaping activities normally associated with a frog. Other features, however, are seemingly out of place. For instance, frogs have teeth. Yes, teeth! Maxillary teeth line the upper jaw edge, while Vomerine teeth are found on the roof of their mouths. Neither set of teeth are used for chewing or biting; rather, scientists believe frogs use these to simply hold their food captive until it is in such a position as to be swallowed whole. The very idea of frog teeth is an odd yet factual point of interest about frog anatomy.
Another interesting aspect of frog anatomy is in the organs they possess. Fully functioning lungs, a three chambered heart, highly developed sensory organs, a digestive system all work together to form the living frog. The finely tuned sight and smell are vital to the frog’s hunting and feeding process, as well as a form of protection in identifying their predators. The ears are another highly sensitive organ. Frogs actually hear in two different ways; high pitched sounds reach the ears of a frog while lower pitched noises are detected through their skin.
Here is an interesting fact of the external part of frog anatomy: a frog can breathe while underwater. Its skin is extremely porous, enabling the oxygen within the water to enter through the skin where it is then absorbed into the bloodstream of the frog. Frogs use their lung capacity to breathe air while on land.
One way that is fast becoming a popular means of examining frog anatomy is through virtual frog dissection. Using this widely available method eliminates the need for the actual frog body to be touched and cut apart by students. However, there are many cases that require an actual hands-on dissection of a frog; anatomy class for prospective medical students is one example.
The frog anatomy is quite an amazing study. Lungs that breathe, a heart that pumps and skin that breathes; one would never guess that such a mystery lies within the humble frog.