There are several different advantages in using disarticulated anatomical skeleton models in teaching environments. The most obvious advantage is that they really provide a hands-on opportunity for students to study each different bone in the body without having to deal with the complete skeletal structure. Disarticulated anatomical skeleton models also provide the opportunity for students to work in memorizing how the skeleton goes together, since they can actually lay out the entire half or full skeleton from the individual bones. This is a great learning activity and tests the student's understanding of the skeletal structure.

For the very complex bone structures such as those found in the hands and feet, the disarticulated anatomical skeleton models offer one already fully assembled and wired together. This visual helps students learn the complex formation of these structures within the body by comparing the assembled and disarticulated parts. With limited space in a teaching classroom or patient consultation room, are anatomical skeleton models really practical?

Surprisingly the anatomical skeleton models on the market today are very compact and require very little in the way of storage space. Although the full sized skeletons are typically about 6 feet tall, including the roller stand, they are not much bigger in diameter than the average chair. They can easily be stored in a corner or in a larger closet or even a small storage room. Dust covers can be used to keep the skeleton clean and out of sight when not in use.

Other options for space saving include using a disarticulated skeleton that comes in a handy storage box. This makes the lightweight skeleton easy to store and stack for lab or classroom work with multiple anatomical skeleton models. In addition mini models that are approximately 3 feet in height are perfect for countertop demonstrations, lab work and for patient consultation, even in very small exam rooms or study areas.

What options should be considered when selecting anatomical skeleton models?

The more options that are included in the anatomical skeleton models you select the more flexible and creative your lessons or patient consultations can be. Some models offer color coding for muscles, ligaments and even major blood vessels and nerves. Other models offer options such as increasing flexibility of the spine with full range of moment, skulls that are sections to be divided for studying the internal structure of the skull, removable teeth and even limbs that easily disconnect from the skeleton for intensive study. Options of how the skeleton is mounted on the roller stand are also an important consideration. Head mounted anatomical skeleton models offer lots of movement in the lower body, while the pelvic mounted anatomical skeleton models provide movement along the spine.

Orthopaedic anatomical skeleton models that show the major soft tissue as well as muscles, nerves and ligaments are essential in studying the connections of the muscles and the skeletal system in the major joints of the body. This is essential for most medical, sports injury and chiropractic types of training, plus is very helpful in patient consultation.