Answers

QUESTIONS

1. What types of tissues and structures could be identified in the raw neck section?
   (Skin, muscle, ligaments, tendons, blood vessels, and bone)
2. How many vertebrae were found in the neck?
   (Since the necks were cleaved at different points, there will be varying numbers of bones. Most students, however, should uncover between 14-17 free vertebrae.)
3. How are the neck bones adapted to protect the delicate spinal cord?
   (They have a central hole within the bone through which the cord extends. The hard bone material protects this inner cavity from damage.)
4. How are the neck bones adapted to allow flexibility of the spinal column?
   (Since the neck is made up of many bones, it retains flexibility not found in a solid rod. The bones articulate with each other but remain in place due to their interlocking structures and ligament bands.)
5. Compare and contrast the role and structure of chicken and human neck bones. Check out the comparative anatomy Web site below for more information.
   (In both animals, the neck bones work to support and elevate the head. The neck's flexible nature permits a wide range of head movements. In addition, the hollow within the neck bones forms a continuous cavity that protects the delicate spinal cord. Although the bones in both animals are hard, the chicken bones are lighter in weight - an adaptation to aid in flight. In addition, the chicken neck has more bones than the human neck.)