Ligament Skeleton Leo’s special feature is the set of imitation ligaments on his right side. This model is similar to our top-rated model Super Sam, except that Sam’s left side is painted to indicate muscle and nerve groups. Many of the models on our list combine skeletal information with features of other body systems. As indicated by its name, this model focuses on ligaments. Compared to other models with non-skeletal features, this is the only one that specifically deals with the interaction of bones and ligaments.
For its unique combination of bones and ligaments, this model has earned a spot on our list of the best human skeleton models.
Ligament Leo is a male skeleton that “stands” 67” tall when displayed on the included pelvic-mounted metal stand. Leo also comes with a dust cover to keep the model clean during storage. Aside from the ligaments on Ligament Leo’s right side, this model does not have much detail. The bones are individually molded but do not display realistic color or texture. This model lacks the prolapsed/herniated disk in the spinal column that appears in most of the other models on our list.
Ligament Leo’s bones are connected with metal pins, allowing for flexibility in most of the joints. On Ligament Leo’s right side, the shoulder, elbow, hip and knee are fitted with elastic imitation ligaments, but as these “ligaments” are simply installed over the existing metal pins, the ligaments do not allow for more realistic range of motion. By contrast, our top-rated model Sam’s imitation tendons are designed to twist and stretch in a more lifelike fashion, and Physiological Phil’s bones are connected with flexible materials to allow for realistic range of motion in most of the joints even without imitation muscles, tendons or ligaments.
Like most of the other models on our lineup, Ligament Leo has a spring-loaded jaw that can be opened and closed for closer examination of the teeth. Leo’s teeth are molded and inserted individually, but are not removable.
Ligament Leo has easily removable arms and legs (these parts must be attached during final assembly) and a removable calvarium (skull cap). The calvarium is the part of the skull that is not yet fused together in a newborn, and in an adult it is represented by a series of zig-zag seams.
Ligament Leo does not come with any educational guides or booklets. This model is not meant as a starting point for learning the skeleton, but rather to complement and provide a demonstration tool for teachers and doctors. Numbered models like Mr. Bucky are more appropriate for basic study of the skeleton because the numbered parts make it easy to quiz someone on the names of the bones. All models that have numbered parts come with a bone guide with the corresponding names of the bones.
Ligament Skeleton Leo is the only human skeleton model on our list specifically focusing on ligaments. Compared to our higher-rated life size human skeleton models, Leo is relatively simple and doesn’t feature much detail beyond the imitation ligaments. If you are specifically looking for a model to demonstrate the structural relationships of bones and ligaments, this is a good choice. However, if you are shopping for a flexible human skeleton model that offers more realistic movement, choose Flexible Skeleton Model Fred or Physiological Phil.
