Flexible Skeleton Model Fred is one of only a few human skeleton models on our list with flexible joints throughout its body. While this is an ideal model for demonstrating the body’s styles of movement, it lacks the numbered and labeled parts of our top-rated model Sam.
For its ability to demonstrate a range of postural problems, the Flexible Fred model has earned a spot on our list of the best human skeleton models.
Aside from his 200 individually-cast bones, Flexible Fred’s vertebral arteries and nerve branches are marked. Demonstrating one of the most common skeletal problems of the spine, Fred also features a disk prolapse between L3 and L4. Like all 3B Scientific skeleton models, Fred has individually inserted teeth, providing a more accurate replica of the skeletal structure of the mouth than models in which the teeth are cast as part of the jaw bone.
As indicated by the name, Flexible Fred’s defining feature is his flexibility. All of Fred’s joints have range of motion, including one hand and one foot. In most skeleton models, the fingers and toes are connected to the wrists and ankles (respectively) with metal pins, and sometimes with a cross-bar holding the fingers and toes together. Those cross-bars mean that the fingers and toes cannot move or flex independently of one another. Fred’s flexible right hand and foot also mean that he is more fragile than other skeletons.
As mentioned above, Flexible Fred’s spine is bendable in all directions to simulate natural human range of motion. Once flexed, Fred’s spine holds its position, making this skeleton ideal for demonstrating postural problems and correct/incorrect posture.
As part of the assembly process for Flexible Fred, the arms and legs must be attached, and they can be easily detached for closer examination. Additionally, the calvarium (skull cap) comes apart in three pieces to allow observation of the interior skull structure. The seams in the calvarium represent the part of the skull that hasn’t yet fused together in newborn babies, and in adults it is represented by a series of zig-zag lines across the skull.
Flexible Fred is designed as a demonstration piece, rather than a self-sustained educational tool. Thus, Fred does not have labeled parts and does not come with a bone guide or any other written materials. Our top-rated skeleton Sam comes with labeled parts, making Sam more suitable than Fred for classroom use (the numbered bones can be used to quiz students on bone identification). Fred, however, is better suited for use in a physician’s or physical therapist’s office because of his ability to demonstrate posture problems.
Flexible Skeleton Model Fred is the only model on our list with a spine that holds its position when bent, making this the best model for demonstrating postures. Thus, this model is a good choice for a doctor's office or classroom setting in which posture and spinal movement will be discussed.
