ANTH 384L/Skeletal Biology
Prof. M. Pietrusewsky
Study Guide for First Practical Exam
Review Reading: White et al.: Ch. 1-13, & Check Sheets 1-4.
1. Review the names of all the bones in the skeleton (including skull, hand and foot) and how
to determine right and left (the ones mentioned in the check sheets).
2. Know the number of each bone or category of bone in a normal human skeleton (e.g.,
number of cervical vertebrae, number of hand phalanges, patellae etc.)
3. Know all the articulations of each major bone (you won't be responsible for the smaller
bones of the hand and foot, however). Use the check sheets as a guide to preparing for exam.
4. Review the anatomical terminology used in human osteology: e.g., axial vs. appendicular
skeleton, planes of reference, directional terms, motions, general bone features, e.g.,
anterior/posterior; superior/inferior; proximal/distal etc. and be able to answer questions using
this terminology. E.g., what bones articulate proximally with the______bone.
5. Review the morphological features mentioned in the check sheets which are from White et
al. book. Know the function (e.g., what goes through foramina or what is the purpose of
deltoid tuberosities etc.).
6. Review the functional complexes in the skeleton: shoulder, pelvis, thorax, appendicular vs.
axial skeletons and which bones are included in each.
7. Identification of individual disarticulated skull bones (exterior and interior surfaces) and
bones from the infracranial skeleton.
8. Know the parts of the skull: cranium, calvarium, calotte, mandible; names (& number) of
bones in the skull, and important morphological features found in the skull including the
cranial sutures, craniometric landmarks, and internal features of the skull.
9. Hand and foot phalanges: be able to distinguish between the two and know general
difference (& number) between proximal, middle and distal rows.
10. Metatarsals and metacarpals: should be able to identify I, II, III, IV, and V but side
identification is not necessary.
11. Tarsal and carpal bones: you should be able to identify each but not side; exception is the
calcaneus and talus—you should be able to tell side of these two bones.
12. Vertebrae: identify axis and atlas and a cervical from a thoracic, lumbar or sacrum etc. and
know parts of individual vertebrae.
13. Ribs: Be able to identify 1st ribs (right & left), true rib, and floating ribs and how many
ribs there are.
14. There may be some fragments of bones on the exam but they will have 'apparent'
morphological feature to allow identification. There may be some non-human and/or immature
bones on the exam as well.
15. Be able to determine MNI from a bone assemblage.
16. Miscellaneous: hyoid, sesamoid, ossified cartilages etc.
17. Most (but not all) of the bones on the first lab practical will be human and most will be
complete. That is, you should expect some fragments of bones as well as the possibility
that the bones are not human.
18. There will be no teeth on the first practical exam.
19. Know the bones that form the distal and proximal rows of carpals, bones of the eye
socket, cranial sutures, etc.