ACTIVITY 4: SKELETAL SYSTEM

The adult skeletal system consists of a framework of approximately 206 bones and their associated
connective tissues —cartilage, tendons and ligaments. The number of bones varies from person to
person in accordance with age and genetic factors. At birth, the skeleton consists of about 270 bones. As
bones develop during infancy, the number increases. During adolescence however, the number
decreases as separate bones gradually fuse. Each bone is actually an organ that plays a part in the total
functioning of our skeletal system. The science concerned with the study of bones is called osteology.

The skeletal system is the basic system of protection and movement in the body. It protects the brain
and other vital parts from injury, provides the levers on which the muscles act during body movement,
forms the chamber making respiration possible, provides a storage depot for substances such as lipids,
and calcium, and takes part in the production of blood cells.

The skeleton is divided into axial and appendicular portions. The 80 axial bones consist of the bones that
form the vertical axis of the body and that support and protect the organs of the head, neck, and trunk.
The 126 appendicular bones make up the upper and lower limbs and the bony girdles that anchor the
limbs to the axial skeleton.

OBJECTIVES
1. To know the composition and structure of the long bone.
2. To identify the 206 bones of the body.
3. Identify the subdivisions of the skeleton as axial or appendicular.
4. Identify bones as long, short, flat, irregular, or sesamoid.
5. Identify whether the bone is a right or left bone.
6. Know the function of the skeletal system.

MATERIALS
Articulated skeleton (Online)
Bone atlas
Bone slides (compact and spongy - Online)
Chicken leg bones (Supermarket)
Disarticulated bones (Online)

HISTOLOGY OF THE SKELETAL SYSTEM

Look over the internet and view prepared or virtual slides of compact and spongy bone observed under
low power objective lens. Study the prepared slides online. Browse pictures paste it on the space
provided in your laboratory report. Make sure that there are parts labeled on the picture.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE BONE

1. Get three chicken leg samples from your local supermarket and remove the flesh. Or if you have stock
of chicken legs in the refrigerator, then that will be fine. Ask help from parents or someone to get
chicken legs. Remember to stay safe.
2. Soak one sample in vinegar for 24 hours, boil sample 2 for an hour, and leave the one as your fresh
sample.
3. Observe your three samples and identify the differences on its shape and structure.
4. Apply pressure gently on each sample and record your observation in your laboratory report.
5. Make documentations again; take pictures before doing the experiment, while doing the experiment,
and after the experiment. Also take pictures of your preparation and the actual experiment.
ATTACH the pictures at the last page of your laboratory report.
GROSS ANATOMY
1. Go online and search for disarticulated bones and describe its shape and classification (long, short,
etc.) Indicate the origin and location too in the laboratory report.
2. Memorize the different bones of the body using your atlas/reference books and the disarticulated
bones.
 LABORATORY REPORT: SKELETAL SYSTEM
Name: KARL GABRIEL S. MAGPANTAY Score: ____________________
Date Performed: _________________________________ Lab Section: _______________

HISTOLOGY OF THE SKELETAL SYSTEM

Search the internet, copy image under low power objective (LPO) and paste the image of compact and
spongy bone on the space below. Indicate name of specimen and what objective it was observe.

Specimen: Osteoclast Specimen: Osteoblasts

Objective:40x objective Objective: 4x objective

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE BONE

GUIDE QUESTIONS?
Observe the three chicken bones and write the difference in structure and shape.
The 1st chicken bone becomes weaker and bendable or rubbery because of the chemical reaction of
the vinegar.

The 2nd chicken bone becomes much softer that its original state and become smaller.

While the 3rd bone remains the same.

What happened to each specimen when applied with pressure?

There is a significant effect on the structure and size of the bone.

What is the significance of this activity in connection to bone physiology?

It will give us awareness on how our bones should be taken care so that our bones will not be weaker
and destroyed. Bones are very important part of out body and we should always keep it healthy too.

List some diseases and disorders of the skeletal system in relation to this activity
Osteoporosis - common disease occurs when bones become weak due to changes in bone
mineral density and mass, causing a higher risk for fractures. Osteoporosis is known as a “silent”
disease as there are no obvious symptoms until a bone actually breaks. 

Gout- is a common form of inflammatory arthritis marked by intense pain and caused by too
much uric acid in the body. 

Paget’s disease -is a chronic disorder that affects the way that bones break down and regrow.
This results in excessive breakdown and regrowth, leading to bones that are bigger and softer
than usual. 

GROSS ANATOMY
OBSERVATION

BONE DIVISION (AXIAL CLASSIFICATION ORIGIN LOCATION

OR (long, short, flat,
APPENDICULAR) irregular,
sesamoid)
Femur Appendicular long Gastrocnemius Thigh

Mandible Axial irregular Mandibula maxilla

Sphenoid Axial irregular Sphenoedes Skull

Hamate Appendicular Short Hamulus Wrist

Hammer Axial Irregular Malleus Middle ear

Stapes Axial short stirrup Middle ear

Patella Appendicular sesamoid present at the joint Knee joint

of femur and tibia
fibula

Fibula Appendicular long fībula, also Lower leg

meaning a clasp or
brooch

Scapula Appendicular flat scapulae Upper thoracic

region on the
dorsal surface of
 the rib cage

Ribs Axial flat ribb chest

Sternum Axial flat sternon chest

Clavicle Appendicular long clavicula ("little Between the rib

key"), cage and
shoulder blade

Pelvic appendicular flat pelvis Between the

tailbone and
pubic bone

Zygomatic Axial irregular zygoma meaning cheeks

"yoke”

Cervical vertebra Axial irregular cervix" which spine

means "neck"

CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS:

1. Leo accidentally smashed his hand in a door and broke one of his bones. If the injury is near the
middle of his palm, which type of bone must have been involved?
Answer: Metacarpal bones

2. Heslyn brings her toddler, age 19 months, to the AUP clinic for regular checkup. When palpating the
toddler's fontanels, what should the nurse expect to find?
Answer: The soft spot on the top of the baby’s head.

3. Jezreel caught his hand in a piece of machinery while he was working in the laboratory. He lost the
medial two fingers of his left hand. Jaerell, an anatomy student, told his classmates that Jezreel has
three remaining phalanges. Is Jaerell correct or does he need to review his skeletal system again?
Answer: He needs to review his skeletal system again because each fingers have 3 phalanges and only 2
fingers has lost.

Attach pictures here: