Chicken Wing Dissection –Skeletal and Muscular Systems
Purpose:
To observe how the muscular and skeletal systems work together to move/support a chicken’s wing
and relate this to the arrangement of comparable anatomical structures of the human body.
Lab report: You will submit a lab report on lined notebook paper. The lab report will contain:
 the sketch below, labeled as instructed
 a completed version of the “Chicken Wing Dissection Table”
 answers to Discussion Questions A-K and Analysis Questions #1-7 in COMPLETE SENTENCES
 a thoroughly completed concluding paragraph
Joint B
Joint C
Joint A
Figure 1
Draw a Sketch and label (before dissection):
 Make a sketch similar to the one above and label the structures that we have covered in class
(label the bones as if they were bones of the human arm. (humerus, ulna, radius, scapula,
carpals, metacarpals, phalanges). Regardless of the few differences, the arrangement of the
chicken wing closely resembles that of the upper extremity of a human.
 Label the joints (A,B,C) with their locations: distal, intermediate, proximal
Procedure:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Put on gloves. (work in groups of 2-3 students)
Obtain a chicken wing, dissecting tray and dissecting equipment.
Rinse the chicken wing under cool, running water and thoroughly dry it with a paper towel.
Pick up the wing and imagine it is still on the chicken. Notice that the “thumb” is superior.
5. Discussion Question A:
Do you think your wing is from the right or left side of the chicken?
Thoroughly explain your answer in complete sentences.
6. Imagine that the wing is a human arm. Create and observe movement in the joints. Use your
wing and Figure 1 to answer questions B through E below:
Question B: Which joint in the human body is the equivalent to joint A?
Why do you think so?
Question C: What TYPE of joint do you think Joint A is? Explain your answer.
Question D: Which joint in the human body is the equivalent to Joint B?
Why do you think so?
Question E: Which joint in the human body is the equivalent to Joint C?
Why do you think so?
7. Examine the skin covering the chicken wing. Fill in #1 on the Dissection Table.
8. Using Figure 2, make a transverse cut along the length of the wing (see Cut 1).
Try not to cut through the muscles below the skin. Do this by piercing the skin and then
slipping the scissors between the skin layer and the muscle. Cut until you reach Joint A.
9. Using Figure 2, make a sagittal cut in toward the lateral end of the wing (see Cut 2). You will
Make a T-shaped cut. Start at the first cut and then cut away from it in both directions.
Try not to cut through the muscles below the skin.
10. Remove the skin from the wing. This is difficult so TAKE YOUR TIME. It works best if you slide
your finger around under the skin to break up some of the connective tissues; you may need to
use your scissors to gently cut away the skin. Pull the skin back as you go; pull top to bottom.
11. Notice the yellowish tissue found in small clumps on the inside of the skin .
Fill in #2 on the Table.
12. Observe the muscles on the wing. They are bundles of pale pink tissue.
Fill in #3 on the Table.
13. Find two muscles in the wing that bend and straighten the elbow joint. Each muscle pulls on
the lower wing bones in one direction (the flexor bends the joint; the extensor straightens it).
Pull to flex Joint B- identify where the antagonist exists.
Pull to extend Joint B- Identify where the antagonist exists.
Secure the wing at Joint A; alternately pull each muscle to observe flexion and extension.
Question F: How did the muscles move the bones? Discuss the arrangement of these
muscles and how they are able to move the bones. Be thorough- include how muscles
work in groups to oppose different movements.
Draw a sketch that shows this arrangement.
14. Follow a bundle of muscle down to the tendon. Observe the shiny white tendon.
What is the function of tendons? Pull on a tendon to see how it helps to move the wing.
Fill in #4 on the Table.
15. Notice the ligaments at the joint. What is the function of ligaments? Observe their
arrangement with the bones at each of the joints A,B,C.
Fill in #5 on the Table.
16. Find a thin reddish-brown strand of tissue. Gently pull it aside with the dissecting needle.
This is a blood vessel. (you may need to review your tissues in Ch. 3 for this)
Fill in #6 on the Table.
17. Remove the muscles and tendons from the bone to expose Joint B. Pull the bones apart at
the joint. Look for the ligaments that hold the bones together. If you can, locate two
ligaments crossing each other. These are the cruciate ligaments (often injured by athletes).
Question G: How did ligaments hold the bones together? Describe and draw a sketch.
18. Pull apart a joint and observe the ends of the bones. What type of material do you see on the
ends of the bones making up the joints?
Fill in #7 on the Table.
Question H: What is the function of this material? What type of joint can it be found in?
19. Carefully break one of the bones and look inside. (Use the hammer)
Question I: Describe what you observe about the structure of chicken bone.
Question J: Why is bone considered to be a connective tissue?
Question K: What substances make bone so hard?
20. CLEAN UP: Collect the chicken remains and place them in the trash. As a hygienic
precaution, keep the gloves on your hands. Listen to your instructor for cleanup instructions.
Afterward, remove your glove and discard in the trash.
WASH YOUR HANDS VERY WELL WITH SOAP AND WATER!!
Note: if you do not finish the procedural portion of the lab in one period you must
save your specimen. Write your names on a bag then put your chicken wing in
a labeled bag. You may have the next period to finish up your observations.
Chicken Wing Dissection Table
Use front and back of one piece of paper for your table
#
Type of
Description AND Function
Tissue(s)
(color, length, texture, etc.)
List the
Location
use directional and regional terms
to describe location
(deep/superficial, lateral/medial,
proximal/distal, anterior/posterior)
anatomical
term(s) for
each tissue
1.
Skin
____________
____________
2.
Fat
____________
3.
Muscle
____________
4.
Tendon
____________
#
Type of
Tissue(s)
List the
anatomical
term(s) for
each tissue
and describe attachment locations
when applicable
Description AND Function
(color, length, texture, etc.)
Location
use directional and regional terms
to describe location
(deep/superficial, lateral/medial,
proximal/distal, anterior/posterior)
and describe attachment locations
when applicable
5.
Ligament
____________
6.
Blood
Vessel
____________
7
Cartilage
____________
8
Bone
____________
Answer the following Analysis Questions #1-7 below. USE COMPLETE SENTENCES.
Analysis Questions:
1. What tissue of the chicken wing is commonly referred to as the “meat”?
2. Why would a bird be unable to fly if there were torn tendons in the wing?
3. Which two specific muscles, found in the human upper arm, are the equivalent of the chicken wing muscles you
looked at in this lab?
4. Why does a chicken need to have so many different bundles of muscles attaching to different parts of the bones?
5. Look at your pre-dissection sketch: There an additional structure that can be found on a chicken wing but not on a
human arm. This is called an alula. Label this on your sketch. Using an encyclopedia or the internet, look up the
alula- give it’s common name and describe its function.
6. What structure on the human body is comparable to the alula?
7. We know that birds have feathers. Humans do not. You may be surprised to learn about the tissue that makes up
feathers. Research feathers (internet or use an encyclopedia) to find out what they are made of. Discuss what
makes feathers and how this same substance is found in the human body. Discuss what human structures might
be comparable to feathers.
Conclusion:
Look back at the purpose. Think critically about what you learned by doing this lab:
1. Explain how bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments work together to move a chicken’s wing.
Use observations to support your explanation.
2. Write a paragraph discussing:
o The benefits of this lab (for your understanding of the purpose)
o Suggestions for this lab
o Your favorite part of this lab
Answer the following Analysis Questions #1-7 below. USE COMPLETE SENTENCES.
Analysis Questions:
2. What tissue of the chicken wing is commonly referred to as the “meat”?
3. Why would a bird be unable to fly if there were torn tendons in the wing?
3. Which two specific muscles, found in the human upper arm, are the equivalent of the chicken wing muscles you
looked at in this lab?
4. Why does a chicken need to have so many different bundles of muscles attaching to different parts of the bones?
5. Look at your pre-dissection sketch: There an additional structure that can be found on a chicken wing but not on a
human arm. This is called an alula. Label this on your sketch. Using an encyclopedia or the internet, look up the
alula- give it’s common name and describe its function.
6. What structure on the human body is comparable to the alula?
7. We know that birds have feathers. Humans do not. You may be surprised to learn about the tissue that makes up
feathers. Research feathers (internet or use an encyclopedia) to find out what they are made of. Discuss what
makes feathers and how this same substance is found in the human body. Discuss what human structures might
be comparable to feathers.
Conclusion:
Look back at the purpose. Think critically about what you learned by doing this lab:
1. Explain how bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments work together to move a chicken’s wing.
Use observations to support your explanation.
2. Write a paragraph discussing:
o The benefits of this lab (for your understanding of the purpose)
o Suggestions for this lab
o Your favorite part of this lab