Dairy Cattle Necropsy Manual

The lungs should be a light pink color and "spongy" to the touch.
Examine the general appearance of the right lung.
Note if there appears to be areas that are darker than others or if there are adhesions or lesions on the lung.

Reflect the right lung by grabbing the tip of the lung closest to the diaphragm. Pull the lung toward the head, cutting any connective tissue. Now the major vessels and airways of the lung can be examined. Cut into the lung near the top of the heart. You should see some large openings close to each other once you have cut into the lung. The airway will be in the middle and is rigid. The artery is on the bottom and the vein is on the top compared to the airway. Use scissors and forceps to cut open the airways and vessels. There may be some food and/or foam in the airways. This usually occurs during the last terminal breaths, however you should note amount and color for your veterinarian.

Open lung artery (vessel)

Open airway

The photo to the left shows an open lung vein (vessel).

Now make lengthwise cuts in the lung to observe the deeper tissue of the lung.
Make note if you see excessive amounts of blood within the right lung or if the lung seems to "pop" when you squeeze it (like bubble wrap).

Click the photo to the left view making lateral incisions in the lung

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The left lung may be examined by pulling back the trachea and esophagus towards the abdomen. Lift up on the left lung and look for any adhesions or lesions on the lung.
Observe the deeper tissue as you did on the right lung.
Note: Blood will pool in the down lung after death. This will make the lower lung look much darker than the lung on top.

If you want to observe the vessels and airways of the left lung, it will need to be removed. This can be done by pulling on the trachea and esophagus, while cutting any tissue connecting the lungs to the body wall. The heart will be removed with the lungs.