H A&P
Skeletal System
Stations Lab
Name _____________________________________________ Per # ___________
Materials:
Per Groups of 2-3:
stereoscope
compound light microscope
“long” bone
“irregular” vertebra bone
“flat” rib bone
disarticulated human skeleton
articulated human skeleton
articulated cat skeleton
compound light microscope
skeleton model
ground bone tissue slide
cancellous bone slide
hyaline cartilage slide
fibrocartilage slide
elastic cartilage slide
X-ray examples
osteon showing a Haversian canal and several lacunae
Per Groups of 4-5:
(12) mini bagels “halves” (pending student number)
(11) large marshmallows (pending student number)
(4) straws
(2) yarn needles
(2) 200 cm (2m) of yellow yarn
(2-3) needle probes
(2) scissors
reference material
Procedures:
After reading the step, number and answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper.
A. Observe each bone using a stereoscope/dissecting microscope.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Describe the appearance (color, marks, patterns) of the periosteum for each bone:
Which bone type appears to have more “spongy bone”?
By stating the bone type, what kind of joint(s) is/are being represented in the collection?
What function do the little holes in the periosteum of the long bone have?
Describe how the shape of the long, vertebra, and flat bone relates to its function:
B. Observe the slide “Bone Dry Ground Human”. Draw and label this into your Histology booklet.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
How many “osteons” can you fine on your bone tissue sample and what do they resemble?
Where in conjunction within an osteon are the Haversian canals found?
At a higher power, what are the numerous dark “areas” that make up the lamellae called?
What type of cell would be found within lacunae?
What element primarily makes up the matrix or lamellae of bone tissue?
Extra: Can you identify the “canaliculi” within the lamellae layers?
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C. Observe the slide “Cancellous Bone”. Draw a labeled sketch into your Histology booklet.
11. What differences do you notice between cancellous and ground bone?
12. Cancellous bone is otherwise known as _____________________________.
D. Observe the slide “Hyaline Cartilage”. Draw a labeled sketch into your Histology booklet.
E. Observe the slide “Fibrocartilage”. Draw a labeled sketch into your Histology booklet.
F. Observe the slide “Elastic Cartilage”. Draw a labeled sketch into your Histology booklet.
13. Describe the major differences in the structures of the 3 types of cartilage.
G. Locate and study the articulated human skeleton. Be able to name each of the following “main” bones. When you are
satisfied, notify when you and your partner are ready to be quizzed and “checked off”.
a.
carpals _____
g.
pelvis_____
m. metatarsals_____
b.
scapula _____
h.
ribs _____
n.
patella _____
c.
sternum _____
i.
clavicle_____
o.
fibula _____
d.
humerus _____
j.
tarsals _____
p.
tibia_____
e.
ulna _____
k.
metacarpals _____
q.
phalanges_____
f.
femur _____
l.
vertebral column _____
r.
radius _____
Then study the bones of the cat skeleton. Identify which bones of the cat skeleton correspond to the above bones. Place the
number located on the bones of the cat skeleton that matches with each of the above human bones to the right of the human bone
listed above.
H. X-ray station. Follow the directions on the notecards associated with each X-ray at your table.
I.
Mr. Bones Apart – put the disarticulated skeleton back together again.
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J.
Identifying and creating a “Thoracic Vertebrae” model.
The spine is made up of 33-34 linked bones called vertebrae. Vertebrae have different shapes and sizes, depending on their
location in the vertebral column. The vertebral column is divided into the following 5 sections (from top to bottom): cervical,
thoracic, lumbar, sacral (sacrum) and coccygeal (coccyx). Because cervical vertebrae are in your neck, they are more often
injured than the other 4 sections since they are not as well protected within your body.
The 7 cervical vertebrae rotate, nod, shake and tilt the head. There are 12 thoracic vertebrae that articulate (form joints) with
the 12 pairs of ribs. The 5 lumbar vertebrae are the largest and thickest in size because they absorb most of the weight
transmitted through the vertebral column. They also transmit forces that help you maintain an erect posture. There are 5
sacral vertebrae that are fused together and form two joints with the pelvic bones – our sacroiliac joints. The tiny 4 or 5
coccygeal vertebrae are at the very bottom and from our tailbone.
Combine with another group so that you have 4-5 students per group.
Construct the “thoracic vertebrae” of a human spine using the materials available at your table. The minimum parts to include
are the vertebrae, intervertebral discs, spinal cord and nerves. In the space below, draw a sketch of your vertebral column and
completely label.
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Most spinal cord injuries result from a pinched, dented, or bruised cord, not an actual “break”. The spinal cord is about
the diameter of your thumb and is filled with a gel-like material, much like the brain. When the spinal cord is injured, the
cells in the center of the cord die and the cord becomes hollow, leaving a donut rim of tissue on the outside. Without enough
cells, the spinal cord cannot function properly to transmit messages from the brain to the body.
1.
Simulate a spinal cord injury by simply adding pressure to one of the vertebrae with your fingers or with the palm of
your hand and note what happens to the “spinal cord”.
2.
When you are satisfied with your model, asked to be “checked off”.
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