What is a dissecting tray used for?

A dissecting tray provides containment for materials resulting from the dissection process. It allows enough space for the analysis of the specimen to take place while also providing drainage for water and other substances.

One of the first steps in a dissection is to rinse off surplus preservative. Also, dissection sometimes reveals dirt and waste inside the specimen that needs to be washed away. Using a spray mechanism rinses the debris away from the specimen, and the holes in the side of the dissecting tray allow all of the runoff to drain away without damaging the results of the dissection.