Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Chicken Dissection Lab

For this lab, we used a chicken carcass and dissected it to identify different muscles within the body. The objective was to learn more about the different types of muscles in the body, identify it by its shape and its look, and compare it to our own human muscles, which to a certain degree have similar aspects. By cutting through the skin and the connective tissue, we were able to see what the muscle really looked like and how it interacted with bones and tendons to manifest certain movements and actions. Initially going down the middle to see the pectoralis major and minor and flipping it over to locate the trapezius and latissimus dorsi, we then moved in on the wings, discovering muscles like the biceps brachii, the triceps humeralis, and the brachioradialis, which all have names that resemble muscles in our own arms. We got to see an excellent example of the tendon, not necessarily at work, but definitely how it functions. Tendons connect muscle and bone for movement, and the tendons at the biceps brachii kept the limb stabilized so when we bent the wings, the contraction was smooth and without disruption. Tendons at the origin would stabilize the muscle, and tendons at the insertion allowed the muscle to contract and move. We only got a good look at the tendons at the origin, but I'm sure the tendon at the insertion was there somewhere. To compare this chicken and our own anatomy, there were certainly several muscles and other things that were notable, especially in the limbs. We both have the humerus, the ulna, and the radius, but not only do we share the relatively same bone, we also share the same muscles attached to them like the biceps and the triceps. The proportions are different however, not only because of size, but because of the specific way they're positioned to advocate movement of the limbs. We don't flap wings because we have arms, and our fingers are much more delicate and more intricate in terms of movement. They are birds, and we are mammals, so that line still remains to differentiate us. 
The Sartorius is the the front of the thigh, allows for flexing

The Latissimus Dorsi extends the wings

The Trapezius is perpendicular to the spine and the shoulders

The Iliotibialis assists the Sartorius in flexing legs and also extends thighs

The Deltoid is a muscle that can be triggered to raise or life wings

Biceps Brachii flexes wings

Quads or Quadriceps, a group of four muscles, helps extend the lower leg

Gastrocnemius is the primary muscle of the medial and dorsal sides of the drumstick

The Brachioradialis is the largest muscle on the superior side of the lower wings

The pectoralis can pull both wings ventrally

The Latissimus Dorsi extends wings




The Peronus Longus is the primary superficial muscle on the lateral side of the drumstick.


Triceps humeralis extends and straightens wings

Peronus Longus

Flexor Carpi Ulnaris flexes the "fingers" and runs from back to elbow from the side of the wing



Pectoralis minor pulls the shoulders down and forward

Tibialis Anterior flexes the foot


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