Teaching the Vertebrate Skeletal Systems with Cast and Models Avoiding Animal Dissection

抄録

Teaching and the study of the vertebrate skeletal systems is an integral part of any undergraduate / postgraduate animal sciences curricula. The traditional method of teaching skeletal systems has been through dissection of an animal to expose the various systems. However, with the growing concern regarding discontinuation of animal dissections and implementation of animal ethical rules in many countries, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the teaching fraternity to cover these topics in the classroom / laboratories. Here we present a method to replicate the skeletal systems of various animals using a foam fibre material. The imitations of skeletons made of this material are sturdy and can last for several years without degradation. Since they can be made to look exactly like the true biological specimen, they can be easily and interestingly used in teaching the vertebrate skeletal systems. Thus, teaching the vertebrate skeletal systems is possible without having to sacrifice animals.