Thoracic Cavity of a Dog, Left Side – Erler Zimmer VP9050

The Erler Zimmer VP9050 model is a 3D-printed reproduction of a dissection of the thoracic cavity and the cranial portion of the abdomen of a dog, viewed from the left side. The specimen was prepared by removing the left lung to clearly reveal the topography of the heart and its relationships with the major structures of the mediastinum.

The right lung remains partially in place: the cranial lobe and the accessory lobe are preserved, serving as useful landmarks for orientation within the thoracic cavity. In the cranial mediastinum, the brachiocephalic trunk and the left subclavian artery can be identified; both originate from the aortic arch.

The specimen also allows one to trace the thoracic portion of the esophagus as it runs through the mediastinum in a craniocaudal direction. The diaphragm has been preserved and serves as an important anatomical reference for relating the thoracic structures to the organs located immediately beyond the thoracic cavity, particularly the liver and stomach.

The pillars of the diaphragm and their relationship to the aortic hiatus are also visible. Continuing caudally, the model shows the first visceral branches of the abdominal aorta, including the celiac trunk and the cranial mesenteric artery. In this way, the specimen allows for a seamless observation of the transition from the thoracic cavity to the cranial abdominal region.

A portion of the right atrial wall has been removed to expose the right atrioventricular valve, or tricuspid valve, along with the chordae tendineae and papillary muscles. Inside the right ventricle, the septal-marginal trabecula, also known as the moderator band, is visible, as is the outflow tract leading to the pulmonary trunk. The wall of the left atrium has also been opened to allow observation of the internal cavity.

The VP9050 thus provides a particularly effective three-dimensional view of the relationships between the heart, great vessels, lungs, esophagus, diaphragm, and vascular structures of the cranial abdomen. It is recommended for teaching veterinary anatomy, for topographic anatomy exercises, and for studying the spatial relationships among the organs of the thoracic cavity.

3D printing preserves the complexity of the original dissection and reliably reproduces an anatomical specimen that is otherwise difficult to obtain for everyday educational use.