Brain removal techniques for livestock

Page last updated: Wednesday, 3 May 2017 - 12:47pm

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The conventional method for brain removal involves sawing through the bone of the dorsal cranium and removing a cap of bone to expose the brain. Two alternate methods are shown below that, with practice, can be less tiring and faster to perform. The brains removed by these techniques provide a sample suitable for routine diagnostic and transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) exclusion testing.

See the PDF file to the right of this webpage for a printable version of this page. A laminated A3 copy is also available by contacting Kevin Hepworth on kevin.hepworth@agric.wa.gov.au.

Method 1: Longitudinal craniotomy

Step 1

Removing the head at the atlanto-occipital joint.

Remove the head at the atlanto-occipital joint. Remove the tongue and pharynx to expose the hard and soft palate. Split the mandibular symphysis and place the head on a non-slip surface such as a rubber mat or onto the ground, using the separated mandible to improve stability.

Step 2

Making a dorsal midline cut through the bone from the nose to the foramen magnum.

Using a hatchet and a mallet, make a dorsal midline cut through the bone from the nose to the foramen magnum. Place hatchet blade at cutting site and use mallet to split the bone. Do not swing the hatchet. The head does not need to be skinned, but making an incision through the skin along the proposed line of cutting helps to stop the hatchet blade from deviating.

Step 3

Turning the head over and cutting through the soft and hard palate and ventral cranium.

Turning the head over and cutting through the soft and hard palate and ventral cranium.

Turn the head over and cut through the soft and hard palate and ventral cranium.

Step 4

Levering the nasal bones apart.

Stand the head upright on the foramen magnum and use a knife to sever any remaining attachments. Lever the nasal bones apart, using the hatchet to increase leverage and split the skull. If nasal bones feel as if they will snap, check all the bone is cut, especially between the occipital condyles.

Step 5

Cutting the remaining meninges and cranial nerve attachments to allow removal of the entire brain.

Removed brain

Use scissors to cut the remaining meninges and cranial nerve attachments to allow removal of the entire brain. Note: for TSE exclusion testing, remove the dorsal cerebellum (sheep only) and 2-3cm spinal cord and submit these sections fresh. Fix remainder of brain in 10% buffered formalin.

Contact information

Livestock Biosecurity