Name _____Fisher à KEY_____
Skeleton Scavenger Hunt – 60 Informal Points
*Use complete sentences wherever possible.
Introduction
Throughout the Human Body Systems course, you will explore the many functions of the skeletal system. Bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons are all types of connective tissue that support your frame. The human skeleton is a wonder of design and engineering. It is incredibly strong and affords us great protection, but it is also incredibly light, giving us a great range of mobility. As you go on to explore the human body, knowledge of bone names will help you navigate the world of muscles and joints as well as other body systems.
Before you learn about the role bones play in identifying who you are, you must learn to identify the major bones of the body. As you worked to create the face of your Maniken®, you learned about the bones and bony landmarks of the skull. In this activity, you will work with a partner to identify key bones in the rest of the skeletal system and complete a series of tasks to “tour” the human skeleton.
Procedure
1. Take out the Skeletal System graphic organizer that you started in the last activity. In this activity, you will work with a partner to complete a series of tasks in a Skeleton Scavenger Hunt.
2. Use the websites listed below or other reliable Internet sources you might find to explore the human skeletal system.
o Human Anatomy Online http://www.innerbody.com/htm/body.html
o Bones: Tissues and Types – The University of British Columbia http://www.zoology.ubc.ca/~biomania/tutorial/bonesk/outline.htm
3. Using your prior knowledge and information you find on the Internet, label and identify the following bones on the “Skeletal System” Skeleton sheet from your last activity. Those marked with an asterisk (*) should already be labeled.
o Skull*
o Mandible*
o Sternum
o Radius
o Phalanges
o Rib Cage
o Tibia
o Fibula
o Vertebral Column (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccyx)
o Scapula
o Carpals
o Metacarpals
o Pelvic Girdle
o Femur
o Tarsals
o Metatarsals
o Patella
o Clavicle
o Humerus
o Ulna
4. Use your Maniken to point out where each bone is located on its body. You may work with a partner for this activity.
5. Next, work with your partner to complete the following tasks/questions. If you need to do additional research, refer to the websites listed in Step 2.
o In the space below define a “suture.” Then, draw sutures in pencil on the skull of your Maninken.
Sutures – “Seam-like” junctions between the bones of the skull where the bones have come together and fused
o Fill in the following table to list the number of vertebrae in each section of the vertebral column (spine.) Then find each section on your Maniken® and lightly shade each section using colored pencils. Use a different color for each section and be sure to note the color you chose for each section in the table below.
Vertebral Section / Number of Vertebrae / Color used on ManikenCervical / 7 /
Thoracic / 12
Lumbar / 5
Sacrum / 5 (fused)
Coccyx / 4 (fused)
How many vertebrae make up the vertebral column (spine?) ______33______
o The sternum is divided into three parts. Label each of the three parts on the diagram below then shade each part of the sternum on your Maniken® in different colors. In parentheses beside your label write the color you used on your Maniken.
o We refer to many bones of the human skeleton by common names rather than by the scientific terms. Fill in the table below to give an alternate name for each body part.
Scientific Name / Alternate NameSternum / Breastbone
Scapula / Shoulder Blade
Patella / Kneecap
Carpals / Wrist
o In the space below explain what floating ribs are.
Floating Ribs – The lower ribs that are not directly attached to the breastbone (sternum) (shown in red on the picture below)
o Then, color in the floating ribs lightly with your pencil on your Maniken.
o In the space below describe the clavicle and where it is located.
The clavicle is also knows as the collarbone and goes between the shoulder and breastbone. There is a left and right clavicle.
o Then, in pencil, draw a star on the lateral edge of the clavicle on your Maniken.
o How many bones do you have in one of your hands (including your wrist)? Explain your answer.
27 Total
· 5 Distal Phalanges
· 4 Intermediate Phalanges (Thumb doesn’t have this)
· 5 Proximal Phalanges
· 5Metacarpals
· 8 Carpals
o Where are the smallest bones of the body found?
The ear – malleus, incus, and stapes
o Which bone(s) of the human body differ in males and females? Explain how they differ.
· Female pelvis and larger and broader; Male pelvis is taller, narrower and more compact
· Male skulls are typically larger with thicker bone and tend to have a larger more prominent forehead
o The human skeleton is composed of two divisions: the axial skeleton and appendicular skeleton. Define each in the space below.
Axial Skeleton – Head, neck, rib cage, spine
Appendicular Skeleton – Upper and lower extremities; pelvis, arms, legs
o In the list below label each bone as part of the axial or appendicular skeleton.
Bone / Axial or Appendicular?Skull / Axial
Mandible / Axial
Sternum / Axial
Radius / Appendicular
Phalanges / Appendicular
Rib Cage / Axial
Tibia / Appendicular
Fibula / Appendicular
Vertebral Column / Axial
Scapula / Appendicular
Carpals / Appendicular
Metacarpals / Appendicular
Pelvic Girdle / Appendicular
Femur / Appendicular
Tarsals / Appendicular
Metatarsals / Appendicular
Patella / Appendicular
Clavicle / Appendicular
Humerus / Appendicular
Ulna / Appendicular
Conclusion Questions
1. Why are there sutures on the human skull? What does this tell you about the actual structure of the skull?
It is made up of several different bones that are not attached at birth. This creates a baby’s “soft spot.” Eventually they fuse to become the skull.
2. Think about the structure and function of your backbone. Why do you think there are discs of cartilage between the bones in the vertebral column?
To cushion and protect the vertebrate bones during movement or stress.
3. What is the difference between a true rib, a false rib and a floating rib?
True Ribs
The first sevenpairs ofrib bones (beginning at the top of the sternum)are called "true ribs." They connect to the spine (by ligaments)at the back, and connect to the sternumby costal cartilage in the front. Costal cartilage iselastic and allows the ribcage to expand during respiration.
False Ribs
The next threepairs of rib bones (8, 9 and 10) are called "false ribs." Like the true ribs, false ribs are connected to the spine at the back. Theprimary difference in true ribs and falseribs comes in where the false ribs connect at the front. Instead ofconnecting to the sternum, false ribs (which are also slightly shorter than true ribs)actually connect to the lowest true ribs (this may be observed in the picture, above).
Floating Ribs
The last twopairs of ribs (11 and 12) are the smallest of all of the rib bones, and are called "floating ribs." They get the name "floating rib" because they are connected to the spine at the back, but are not connected to anything at the front, thus appearing to "float."
4. A man was in a car accident and fractured cervical vertebrae, his femur, and his 5th metatarsal. Explain his injuries to a “non-science” person.
Cervical Vertebrae – Spine running down back of neck
Femur – Leg bone extended from hip to knee
5th metatarsal – Pinky toe bone attaching at foot and going to bend in the toe
5. What are the main functions of the human skeletal system? (List at least 2)
The adult human skeletal system consists of 206 bones, as well as a network of tendons, ligaments and cartilage that connects them. The skeletal system performs vital functions — support, movement, protection, blood cell production, calcium storage and endocrine regulation — that enable us to survive.
6. Describe how differences in our skeleton can contribute to our identity.
Different bone structure gives different physique, appearance and image.