Bones & Cartilage, Axial, & Appendicular Skeleton, Lab Report Example

Introduction

During this week of lab activities, the main goal was to examine the skeletal system. We viewed slides under the microscope and examined a variety of bones from a hands on approach. The lab activities covered three different aspects of the skeleton. The first set of activities was focused on learning to classify the bones of the skeletal system and to acquire knowledge about the different structures of bones and cartilage. The second and third set of activities were designed to examine the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton, and to gain understanding of the difference between the two. I think these laboratory exercises will be informative, surprising, and fun. I am certain, that being able to hold and examine the bones will help me to remember more about them.

Procedures

In order to learn more about skeleton, the lab had several activities to perform. Overview of skeleton activity one required us to examine bones on display and classify them into categories. Overview of skeleton activity three, required us to use a china cup, a leather belt, and three large books to symbolize the hardness, strength, and flexibility of bones. The axial skeleton activity one entailed us reading the information shown in figure 8.1 through figure 8.7, and to identify each bone on a skull. The axial skeleton activity four required us to examine our lab’s specimen of a normal vertebral column and then compare to figures 8.8 and 8.9 (one normal vertebral column and one that depicted abnormal spinal curvatures). Also to notice the movement in the spinal column. The appendicular skeleton activity one required us to examine the bones of the appendages and to make note of whether it was a left or right side bone. The appendicular skeleton activity three involved using our hands to locate and feel the pelvic bones on our bodies. The appendicular skeleton activity four was to examine figure 9.5, table 9.1 and compare pelvic bones of males to females, paying attention to differences in size and shape.

Materials

Overview of skeleton materials included disarticulated bones of the four bone classification (long, short, flat, and irregular), long bone sawed longitudinally, disposable gloves, long bone soaked in vinegar or 10% hydrochloric acid, long bone baked for two hours at 250 degrees, 3-D model of microscopic structure of compact bone, articulated skeleton, leather belt, china cups, three large books, and microscope.

The axial skeleton, materials included an intact skull, Beauchene skull, isolated fetal skull, x-rays of abnormal spinal curvatures, articulated skeleton, articulated vertebral column, and isolated cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae, coccyx, and sacrum bones.

The appendicular skeleton materials included articulated skeletons, disarticulated skeletons, articulated male and female pelvis, x-rays of appendicular bones, six bones for identification by palpations.

Methods

Overview of skeleton activity one, first step was to examine the bones from the display. Secondly, classify them into one of four groups by recording its name and number in the chart. Next step was to inspect the end of the long bone and identify the cartilage covering the end. Also, it was important to note the yellow or red marrow. Overview of skeleton activity three, step one was to stack books on top of a china cup. Step two was to yank and pull the leather belt a few times.

The axial skeleton activity one first step was to read the material about skulls in the lab manual. Then, view figures 8.1 through 8.7. Lastly, identify the bones in the pictures on the display skull.  The axial skeleton activity four step one was to observe the spinal column on display. Next, compare the display spine to the lab manual figure 8.8 of a normal curvature spinal column. Then, compare display to lab manual figure 8.9 of abnormal curvature vertebral columns. Lastly, examine the freedom of movement between two lumbar vertebrae separated by an intervertebral disc.

The appendicular skeleton activity one first step was to examine the bones. Secondly, identify the characteristic markings on each bone. Third, determine if bone is right or left. The appendicular skeleton activity three steps were to first, rest the hands on the sides of the hips, and then to trace the crest anteriorly of the anterior superior iliac spine. The appendicular skeleton activity four starting step was to examine figure 9.5, table 9.1. Then, examine a male and female pelvis. Lastly, making note of the difference between size and shape.

Results

The results of activities from overview of the skeleton were recorded in a chart that classified bones into one of four categories. Long bones include femur, humerus, and tibia. Short bones include carpals and tarsals. Short bones are the pelvis, sternum, and cranial bones. Irregular bones include vertebrae, sacrum, and coccyx.

The results of activity three from overview of the skeleton was the china cup held the books up without breaking, which was a representation of the strength of bones. The belt did not break, but was bendable and tough at the same time, representing the flexibility and toughness of bones.

The results of activity one from the axial skeleton was identification of the bones of the skull.

Cranium

The results of activity four from the axial skeleton was identification of how a normal spinal curvature looks compared to three abnormal curvatures.

Normal curvature

The results of activity one from the appendicular skeleton was identification of bones from the appendages. The results of activity three from the appendicular skeleton was palpation of mine and my lab partner’s pelvic bone.

Pelvis

The results of activity four from the appendicular skeleton was an examination of the pelvis of male and female.

Questions:

Overview of the skeleton questions

Activity three –

What happens? The cup is able to support the books without breaking.

What happens? The belt does not break, but is flexible.

Which article-the cup or the belt-demonstrates the compressional strength provided by bone salts? The cup

Which item better illustrates the tensile strength provided by collagen fibers in the bone? The belt

The axial skeleton questions

Activity four-

When the disk is properly positioned, are the spinal cord or peripheral nerves impaired in any way? No

What happens to the nerve? The nerve moves around too much inside the vertebrae.

What might happen to the spinal nerves in areas of malpositioned or slipped discs? A pinched nerve may occur.

Conclusions

This week of laboratory activities focused on examining the bones of the skeleton. This was a very hands on lab, where we got to handle, examine, and compare the bones. We also used the microscope to examine a section of a compact bone. A chart was used to classified bones as long, short, flat or irregular. The axial skeleton bones examined included the cranium, sternum, spinal column, sacrum, and coccyx. The appendicular skeleton bones examined included arms, fingers, and toes. I concluded from these activity that the bones are specially designed to be both tough and flexible at the same time. I predicted that these lab activities would be very informative and they were.