Bisect the base of the skull and the mandible.
- With the head reflected in the anterior direction, cut the posterior pharyngeal wall along the midline from the base of the skull to the esophagus. (G 8.29;N 66;GI 44.27)
- Place a scalpel handle between the soft palate and the tongue (to protect the tongue). Use a scalpel to bisect the soft palate and uvula along the midline.
- Have one person stabilize the head while a second person bisects the base of the skull along the midline using a hand or reciprocating saw. Carry the cut through the palate and alveolar process between the central incisors.
- Use the saw to bisect the mandible between the central incisors.
- Use a scalpel to bisect the tongue from the tip anteriorly to the hyoid bone posteriorly. (G 7.61;N 58;GI 44.23) Attempt to carry the incision between the right and left mylohyoid and geniohyoid muscles. Do not bisect the epiglottis.
