Leech Dissection: Step 3

The skin is cut open along the dorsal midline. Since the leech's nervous system is on its ventral side, care is taken not to damage deep structures. The blood you see is both its own, as well as its last meal.

A close-up of the leech in the dissection dish. There is a small diamond-shaped cut in the leech's skin.

A second close-up of the leech in the dissection dish. Small scissors have been inserted through the cut in the leech's skin.

A third close-up of the leech in the dissection dish. The scissors are cutting through the leech's skin. Dark blood is leaking out of the cut.

A fourth close-up of the leech in the dissection dish. The leech has been cut open along the length of its body. Inside the leech are pale pink connecting tissues and pools of dark blood.