At first glance, the Life Size Human Skeleton model appears fairly simple, but in fact it offers a comprehensive look at the human skeletal system including major nerve branches, vertebral arteries and a realistic texture. Serving well for education in a home or classroom setting, this model earned the TopTenREVIEWS Silver Award on our list of the best human skeleton models.
A bit shorter than many of the life size models on our list, this model stands 61” (about 155 cm) tall. On the pelvic-mounted stand, it hangs 3” off the floor. While not painted or numbered like our top-rated model Sam, this model indicates all the same details except the rubber band ligaments/tendons. The major muscle origins and insertions are marked, along with nerve branches and vertebral arteries. The spine features a herniated disk, one of the most common skeletal ailments of the back. Like most models on our list, this one is cast from unbreakable plastic. The cast is carefully constructed to preserve the fine details of the bone texture, even on the portions of bone that sit against neighboring bones.
Most of the joints on this model are flexible, including the arms, legs and spine. The jaw is spring-loaded to allow somewhat realistic movement. As with most skeleton models, this model’s bones are held together with metal pins that allow for some flexibility. However, even though the metal pins are loosely fit for range of motion, the flexibility does not mimic natural human movement. In more realistic models, flexible materials like rubber are used to create more lifelike movement.
Our top-rated model Sam has a flexible spine that bends in all directions, more accurately recreating human movement. The movement in this model is meant to allow for more detailed examination of the bones, rather than to demonstrate human postures.
This model features removable arms, legs, skull and three lower teeth. As with Sam, this model’s skull is assembled in three parts and its calvarium comes off, allowing for closer examination of the structures inside the skull. As with all of the models on our list, the hands and feet are the least realistic features, as the bones of our hands and feet are connected with an especially elaborate set of muscles and tendons. None of the models on our list would be sufficient for demonstrating detailed functions or disorders of the hands or feet.
This model comes with a bone identification guide, including a numbered diagram of the skeleton with a corresponding list of all 206 bones. This product is designed for use in classrooms, but as it does not mimic natural movements it would not be sufficient for demonstrating motion problems or injuries (as in a doctor’s office).
The Life Size Human Skeleton is one of the few on our list that does not have a human name. It earned high marks on our survey for its many flexible parts and the fact that many major non-skeletal features are indicated. This model would make a perfect companion piece to complement basic anatomy lessons, and with its realistic texture, it can also demonstrate the structure of bones themselves.
