Lab Guide for the Skeletal
System
For this lab you will be using a model of a skeleton AND a diagram of a skeleton.
Use both the build your notes and understanding of the human skeletal system.
DO NOT WRITE ON THIS PACKET. TAKE NOTES IN YOUR NOTEBOOK AND
ON DIAGRAMS!!!
BONES OF THE HUMAN BODY
SKULL
Cranium: encases brain attachments for muscles sinuses. EIGHT sutured bones in cranium
Facial bones: 13 sutured bones, 1 mandible
1. First, locate these bones on the skeleton model. Next, label them on both diagrams on the
back of your paper.
Parietal (top and sides of the skull)
Frontal (front of head/forehead)
Occipital (base of skull, in the back)
Zygomatic (cheek bones)
Temporal (above and around the back of your ears)
Sphenoid (between zygomatic and temporal)
Maxilla (upper jaw)
Mandible (lower jaw)
Foramen Magnum (hole in base of skull for spinal cord)
2. On the whole body diagram (front of your paper)….label the cranium and mandible
VERTEBRAL COLUMN
The vertebral column is divided into sections: cervical, thoracic, lumbar and tailbone
3. There are 7 cervical vertebrae that extend from the skull to the top of the thoracic
cavity. First, locate these bones on the skeleton model. Next, label them on your skeleton
diagram (they are indicated with a bracket).
The first and second cervical vertebrae have special names. Name them and explain their
function IN YOUR NOTEBOOK. You may need to use the Internet to research this information.
Name of 1st cervical vertebrae Name of 2nd cervical vertebrae -
Lab Guide for the Skeletal
System
4. There are 12 thoracic vertebrae that extend from the first rib bones to the last. First,
locate these bones on the skeleton model. Next, label them on your skeleton diagram (they
are indicated with a bracket).
5. Each pair of ribs connects to a thoracic vertebrae and most connect to the sternum. First,
locate the sternum on the skeleton model and then label it on your skeleton diagram.
6. Label the ribs on your skeleton diagram.
There are 3 kinds of ribs: true, false and floating. Examine how the ribs attach to the
vertebral column and the sternum and define each of these terms IN YOUR NOTEBOOK
True Ribs:
False Ribs:
Floating Ribs:
7. There are 5 lumbar vertebrae that extend from the thoracic cavity to the pelvic cavity.
First, locate these bones on the skeleton model. Next, label them on your skeleton diagram
(they are indicated with a bracket).
8. Look at the skeleton model. Describe how the shapes of the cervical, thoracic and
lumbar vertebrae different? How can you visually distinguish between them? ANSWER IN
YOUR NOTEBOOK.
PELVIC GIRDLE
First, locate these bones on the skeleton model. Next, label them on your skeleton diagram.
9. The Sacrum and Coccyx connect the vertebral column to the pelvic cavity.
The Sacrum (5 fused bones) makes up the hips
The Coccyx (4 fused bones) makes up the tailbone.
10. The Os Coxa are the large, curved bones that create your hips
LOWER LIMBS
11. First, locate these bones on the skeleton model. Next, label them on your skeleton
diagram.
Lab Guide for the Skeletal
System
Femur (upper leg)
Patella (kneecap)
Tibia, fibula (lower leg, fibula is smaller)
Tarsals (ankles), metatarsals (feet), phalanges (toes)
PECTORAL GIRDLE
12. First, locate these bones on the skeleton model. Next, label them on your skeleton
diagram.
Clavicles – small bones that come across the top of the ribs
Scapulae – large “shoulder blades” in back of the ribs
UPPER LIMBS
13. First, locate these bones on the skeleton model. Next, label them on your skeleton
diagram.
Humerus (upper arm)
Radius; ulna (lower arm, ulna is smaller)
Carpals (wrist), metacarpals (hands), phalanges (fingers)
CARTILAGE
Provides support for the body where bones are not present.
14. First, locate these bones on the skeleton model. Next, label them on your skeleton
diagram.
Costal cartilage (connects the ribs to the sternum)
Cartilage in Invertebral discs (between each vertebrae)
Pubic symphysis (connects both sides of the pelvic girdle)
TYPES OF BONES
15. First, locate examples of each type of bone on the skeleton model. Next, choose 4 new
colors to show examples of each type of bone explained below. Create a key on your skeleton
diagram and color at least TWO examples of each type of bone.
Type of Bone
Description
Function
Long bones
longer than they are wide
mostly for movement
Short bones
as wide as they are long
for support and stability with little
movement
Lab Guide for the Skeletal
System
Flat bones
thin, flattened, and a bit curved provide protection to vital organs
Irregular bones
bones with complicated shapes unique functions
SKELETON CLASSIFICATION
16. First, locate the axial and appendicular parts of the human skeleton on the skeleton
model. Next, choose 2 colors to distinguish between the two parts of the skeleton. Create a
key on your skeleton diagram and OUTLINE each part on the diagram.
Axial Skeleton supports and protects organs of head, neck and trunk
skull (cranium and facial bones)
hyoid bone (anchors tongue and muscles associated with swallowing)
vertebral column (vertebrae and disks)
Sacrum and coccyx (center part of pelvic girdle only)
thoracic cage (ribs and sternum)
Appendicular Skeleton bones of limbs and bones that anchor them to the axial skeleton
pectoral girdle – bones that connect upper limbs to the axial skeleton
(clavicles and scapulae)
upper limbs (arms)
Os Coxa (hip bones)
lower limbs (legs)
Articulation - where joints are formed between bones