INTRODUCTION

Over the course of the semester you will learn to identify the bones of the human skeleton as well as important features on individual bones.  We will learn the bones in six lab sessions, with this second lab session focusing on the vertebrae.

One of the best ways to learn the bones is to draw them and label the landmarks.  Using the lab manual as well as reference books available in the lab (e.g., White's Human Osteology and Bass' Human Osteology), you will draw and label the bones of the vertebral column.
 

OBJECTIVES

• To identify the bones of the vertebral column.

• To label the important features of the vertebrae.

• To practice carefully handling skeletal material.

READINGS

• Review the information on general human osteology in Chapter 2 of the text book and lab manual.

• Read the sections on cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae in Chapter 2 of the text book and lab manual.

In addition to the bones and features you will label on your drawings, you should understand the meanings of the following terms.

• single bone
• process
• canal
• foramen (plural: foramina)

Closely examine the vertebrae laid out in the lab, being sure to handle the bones gently, as discussed in lecture, and to keep the bones with their labels.  You must wear gloves when handling real bones.

You will draw and label bones and landmarks to the best of your ability. 

Use the lab manual as well as the reference books to assist in identifying and labeling your drawings. Ask the instructor or lab assistant if you cannot locate a feature.

Please use pencil and unlined paper for the drawings, and only draw on one side of the paper. 

Use white-out to correct mistakes
 

VERTEBRAE

All students will draw and label lateral and/or superior views of the vertebrae listed below. 

Use one color to label the features on these individual bones.

The table below indicates which bones and features you must draw. 

You will lose points if you mislabel, misspell, or omit any of these bones and landmarks. 

Note that if the words below are plural, there should be two features labeled on that drawing. 

Be sure to clearly label each of your drawings with the bone name and view; for example CERVICAL VERTEBRA 5, SUPERIOR VIEW. Also be certain to spell out all terms; do not use abbreviations.

You may put two or three drawings on one page, but if you do, be sure the drawings are in the order as presented below.

The atlas is the first cervical vertebra, and the axis is the second cervical vertebra.

Note that we will do the sacrum and coccyx (parts of the vertebral column) when we study the pelvic girdle.