The Skeletal System
The Skeletal System
Besides structural support, the skeletal system is responsible for respiration and calcium transport. A chicken's skeletal system is both lightweight and compact, yet strong. The tail and neck vertebrae can move, while the vertebrae in the body are fused together in order to support the wings. Birds have special types of bones: the pneumatic and medullary bones.
Diagram 6 shows a labelled diagram of the chicken skeletal system
The pneumatic bones are important for respiration. They are hollow bones connected to the respiratory system and are important for the chickens to breathe. Examples of some pneumatic bones are the skull, humerus, clavicle, keel, pelvic girdle and lumbar and sacral vertebrae.
The medullary bones are an important source of calcium for a laying hen. Examples include the tibia, femur, pubic bones, ribs, ulna, toes and scapula.
Several key adaptations have been made to the skeleton of the chicken to allow it to be a functional bird. Although chickens arguably can't fly, their skeleton is built for this.
The thoracic vertebrae are fused to support the wings. The skull is smaller because a larger skull is difficult to fly with. The sternum (keel) has a large surface area for the attachment of the main flight muscles. The tail is a short section of fused bones called a pygostyle. The ribs include the ucinate process. These are overlying flaps that connect each rib to give the rib cage support and prevents its collapse during flight.
Just as with humans, the wing is comprised of the radius and ulna, extending from the joint (the elbow) to the metacarpus (the wrist) and from there to the phalanges (the fingers).
The leg is also very similar to that of the leg of a human. The first -and strongest- bone in the leg is the femur (thigh), followed at the joint (kneecap) by the fibula and tibia, which meet another joint (ankle) leading out to metatarsus which meets the ball of the foot and spreads out into the toes.
The next page will discuss the muscle system.
Diagram 6 shows a labelled diagram of the chicken skeletal system
The pneumatic bones are important for respiration. They are hollow bones connected to the respiratory system and are important for the chickens to breathe. Examples of some pneumatic bones are the skull, humerus, clavicle, keel, pelvic girdle and lumbar and sacral vertebrae.
The medullary bones are an important source of calcium for a laying hen. Examples include the tibia, femur, pubic bones, ribs, ulna, toes and scapula.
Several key adaptations have been made to the skeleton of the chicken to allow it to be a functional bird. Although chickens arguably can't fly, their skeleton is built for this.
The thoracic vertebrae are fused to support the wings. The skull is smaller because a larger skull is difficult to fly with. The sternum (keel) has a large surface area for the attachment of the main flight muscles. The tail is a short section of fused bones called a pygostyle. The ribs include the ucinate process. These are overlying flaps that connect each rib to give the rib cage support and prevents its collapse during flight.
Just as with humans, the wing is comprised of the radius and ulna, extending from the joint (the elbow) to the metacarpus (the wrist) and from there to the phalanges (the fingers).
The leg is also very similar to that of the leg of a human. The first -and strongest- bone in the leg is the femur (thigh), followed at the joint (kneecap) by the fibula and tibia, which meet another joint (ankle) leading out to metatarsus which meets the ball of the foot and spreads out into the toes.
The next page will discuss the muscle system.
- Next page: The Muscle System
- Previous page: The Respiratory System
