Anth 300 Forensic Anthropology
Dr. Darlene Applegate
Spring 2008
LAB 4: THORAX AND SHOULDER
GIRDLE
INTRODUCTION
This is the fourth of six labs during which you will learn the bones
of the human body. This lab focuses on the bones of the thorax
and shoulder girdle. The bones you will learn are outlined below.
- shoulder girdle: clavicle and scapula
One of the best ways to learn the bones is to draw them and label the
features.
Using the lab workbook, textbook, and 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 thorax and shoulder girdle.
OBJECTIVES
- To identify the bones of the thorax and shoulder girdle.
- To label the important features of the bones of the thorax,
pelvic
girdle,
shoulder girdle.
- To practice carefully handling skeletal material.
READINGS
- Review the information on general human osteology in Chapter 2 of
the textbook and lab manual.
- Read the sections on cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae in
Chapter 2 of the textbook and lab manual.
TERMS
In addition to the bones and features you will label on your
drawings,
you should understand the meanings of the following terms.
- single bone
- paired bone
- side
- dorsal (posterior)
- ventral (anterior)
- superior
- inferior
- medial
- lateral
- thorax
- true rib (#1-7)
- false rib (#8-10)
- floating rib (#11-12)
- cartilage
- articulate
Also know how many total ribs (n=24, or 12 pairs), true ribs (n=14, or
7
pairs),
false ribs (n=6, or 3 pairs), and floating ribs (n=4, or 2 pairs) in
the
typical human adult body.
You need to know which vertebrae (the thoracic vertebrae) articulate
with
the ribs.
INSTRUCTIONS
Closely examine the thorax and shoulder girdle bones laid out in the
lab, being sure to handle the bones gently and to keep the bones with
their
labels.
Use the lab workbook, textbook, and reference books to assist in
identifying
and labeling your drawings.
Please use pencil and unlined paper for the drawings.
You may
put two drawings on one page, but be sure your drawings of individual
bones
are large enough to show details and features, and make sure
your
drawings follow the order in the tables below.
You must identify each
individual drawing with the following
information:
bone name, view, left or right (for paired bones), and the rib number
(for ribs).
You will draw and label the following bones and features to the best
of your ability.
Each student should examine the articulated skeleton in the lab in
order to see how the thoracic vertebrae articulate with the ribs, how
the ribs articulate with the sternum, and how the clavicle and
sternum
articulate.
THORAX BONES AND FEATURES
| BONE |
VIEWS |
FEATURES |
BONES |
one true rib,
either side
|
inferior |
head
neck
vertebral articular surfaces
sternal articular surface
|
(not applicable) |
one false rib,
either side
|
inferior |
head
neck
vertebral articular surfaces
sternal articular surface
|
(not applicable) |
one floating rib,
either side
|
inferior |
head
neck
vertebral articular surface
|
(not applicable) |
sternum
|
anterior |
14 costal (rib) notches
* number all the notches on
each side of
the sternum
** use one color for
labeling the features
|
manubrium
body or gladiolus
xiphoid process
(xiphoid process may be
broken off but draw it anyway
based on reference books)
** use a second color for
labeling the bones
|
SHOULDER GIRDLE BONES AND FEATURES
| BONE |
VIEWS |
FEATURES |
| clavicle |
inferior |
scapular articulation
sternal articulation
conoid tubercle
label medial end
label lateral end
|
| scapula |
posterior |
glenoid cavity (glenoid fossa)
acromion process
coracoid process
body
vertebral border (medial border)
axillary border
spine
|
TIPS FOR SIDING BONES
Remember that siding a bone involves determining where the bone
would be located when placed in anatomical position in one's own body.
Do not side a bone by pretending to place in someone standing in front
of you.
To side the clavicle, orient the blunt end medially and the elongated
end laterally; the conoid tubercle must be inferior and posterior.
To side the scapula, orient the spine to the posterior and the glenoid
cavity or fossa laterally.
To side a rib, orient the head medial and posterior with the vertebral
articular facets pointing posterior-inferior; the rib body will curve
toward the anterior; on most ribs, the relatively sharp edge of the rib
body is inferior.
Return to Forensic
Anthropology
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Last updated on January 21, 2008
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