Kanika Anatomy and Physiology: Chicken Dissection Lab Report

In this lab, we dissected a chicken. We used a chicken because a chicken has muscles that are similar to those of a human. We dissected the different parts of the chicken muscle, identified them, and then labelled them. The muscle in our bodies are used to help us move with ease and fluidity. Muscles attach to bones via tendons. On our chicken, tendons were stiff, white and were attached to both the muscle and the bone. For example, the Pectoralis Major and Minor both are connected to the sternum through a tendon. At the origin, the tendon is more stationary, and the muscle usually contracts towards it. At the insertion, the muscle is more flexible. It tends to be more distal and has greatest movement during contraction. Although chickens look very different from humans, we have similar muscular systems. There are some differences though. The flexor carpi ulnaris works on the "thumb" side of the bird while it works on the "pinky finger" side of humans. The latissimus dorsi is present in both species and extends or pulls the wing or arm. The deltoid is in the same place on both humans and chicken and serves the same purpose: extend or pull back the arm or wing.

The Biceps Femoris (flexes leg) and the Semimembranosus (extends thigh)

The Deltoid (helps to raise the upper arm), the Biceps Brachii (flexes (bends) the arm), and the Triceps Humeralis (extends (straightens) the arm)

Iliotibialis (extends the thigh and flexes the leg) and Sartorius (flexes the thigh and allows crossing of the legs)

Tibialis Anterior (causes "shin splints")

Gastrocnemius (attached to the Achilles tendon) and Peroneus longus (extends the foot)

Quadriceps Femoris (used during group leg extension activity in class) and Semitendinosus (extends thigh)

Exposing the Pectoralis Major (the big fleshy muscle) and the Pectoralis Minor (the yellowish muscle)
A tendon is visible (the white object near the sternum near the middle of the chicken)