Some of you will be asked to remove the head of your animal. This is best accomplished in the mid-cervical area at the approximate location of the 3rd or 4th cervical vertebrae. Use a knife to cut all of the muscle and soft tissue circumferentially around the vertebral column. While doing this note the approximate location of the vertebral column in the neck. It located much more ventrally than many students would at first guess. Next, use a saw to cut through the remaining bone. The heads will be sagittally sectioned and ready for you at the next laboratory period.