Human Lumbar Vertebrae Model

Quick Answer: The Human Lumbar Vertebrae Model is a lumbar vertebrae model for close study of the bones of the lower back: the heavy vertebral body, the arch around the spinal canal, and the processes where muscles and ligaments attach.

Reading a Lumbar Vertebra

Every lumbar vertebra has two main parts. At the front is the vertebral body, broad and kidney-shaped, which carries weight. Behind it the vertebral arch encloses the canal: two short pedicles project backward from the body, and two flat laminae meet in the midline to form the spinous process, which in the lumbar region is thick, square and hatchet-shaped. Long, thin transverse processes point sideways, and small mamillary and accessory processes near them anchor the deep back muscles.

The superior and inferior articular processes carry the facet joints. In the lumbar spine the upper facets face inward and backward and the lower facets outward and forward, so each vertebra locks into the next in a way that blocks twisting. The narrow bridge of bone between these processes is the pars interarticularis. A stress fracture here, spondylolysis, is common in young fast bowlers, gymnasts and other athletes who repeatedly arch their backs, and on oblique X-rays it appears as a collar on the neck of the so-called Scottie dog outline.

The five lumbar vertebrae are not identical: L1 is the smallest and L5 the largest, its body taller at the front, giving the wedge that forms the lumbosacral angle. The title does not state whether this model is a single vertebra, a series or a set with discs, so confirm the form. The human lumbar set model and the lumbar spinal column model show the vertebrae assembled.

Specifications

Model of	Human lumbar vertebrae
Parts shown	Body, pedicles, laminae, spinous and transverse processes
Joint surfaces	Superior and inferior articular processes (facet joints)
Key region	Pars interarticularis
Single vertebra, series or set	Confirm at enquiry

Care & Handling

Handle each piece of the lumbar vertebrae model by the vertebral body; the transverse processes are long and thin and break first.
If the vertebrae separate, store them in numbered order so L1 to L5 stay identifiable.
Clean with a dry brush; water trapped in the canal and foramina can mark painted surfaces.

Applications

Osteology practicals identifying the parts of a typical lumbar vertebra
Sports medicine teaching on spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis
Comparing lumbar with thoracic and cervical vertebrae
Explaining how facet orientation limits spinal rotation

Why Choose LabEquip

Osteology tutors, sports-medicine courses and physiotherapy schools use lumbar vertebrae for the detailed bone study that assembled spines hide. LabEquip lists the model in its biology lab products; the contact page is the place to confirm its form.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a lumbar vertebra told apart from a thoracic one?

A lumbar vertebra has a larger kidney-shaped body, a thick hatchet-shaped spinous process and no facets for ribs. A thoracic vertebra is smaller, has a long downward-sloping spine and carries rib facets on its body and transverse processes.

What is the pars interarticularis?

It is the narrow segment of the vertebral arch between the superior and inferior articular processes. Repeated arching and twisting can cause a stress fracture there, called spondylolysis.

What is spondylolisthesis?

It is forward slipping of one vertebra on the one below, most often L5 on the sacrum. It can follow fractures of the pars on both sides, or develop from degenerative changes in older people.

Why does the lumbar spine twist so little?

Its facet joints are set nearly upright with curved surfaces that interlock, allowing bending forward, backward and sideways while blocking much rotation. Most trunk rotation happens in the thoracic spine.

Why is L5 wedge-shaped?

Its body is taller at the front than at the back. This wedge helps form the angle between the lumbar spine and the sacrum and contributes to the lumbar curve.

What attaches to the spinous and transverse processes?

Ligaments that link neighbouring vertebrae and the deep back muscles that extend and stabilise the spine. The transverse processes also anchor muscles such as the quadratus lumborum and psoas.

Last Updated: September 2026

Human Lumbar Spinal Column Model

Quick Answer: The Human Lumbar Spinal Column Model is a lumbar spinal column model of the lower back: the lumbar vertebrae and discs and, as such models usually include, the spinal nerves. It is used to teach how nerve roots leave the spine and how disc problems cause back and leg pain.

Nerves in the Lower Spine

The spinal cord is shorter than the column that houses it: during growth the vertebrae keep lengthening after the cord has stopped, so in an adult the cord tapers to its point, the conus medullaris, roughly opposite the L1-L2 disc. Beneath that point, the lumbar and sacral nerve roots continue down the canal as a bundle called the cauda equina, meaning horse’s tail. Each lumbar nerve root leaves through the intervertebral foramen below the vertebra of the same number, so the L4 root exits between L4 and L5.

This arrangement explains the classic pattern of sciatica. A disc that bulges backwards and to one side usually presses on the root passing down to the next foramen, so a herniation at L4-L5 typically irritates the L5 root, causing pain down the leg and weakness lifting the big toe. A large central herniation can compress several roots of the cauda equina at once, a surgical emergency with numbness in the saddle area and bladder problems. Narrowing of the canal with age, lumbar spinal stenosis, produces leg pain on walking that eases on sitting or bending forward.

Because the cord ends high, a needle for lumbar puncture is placed between L3 and L4 or L4 and L5, with the line joining the tops of the iliac crests as a guide. The listing does not state which structures are included, so confirm nerves, cord and pathology before ordering. The cervical spinal column model covers the neck in the same way.

Applications

Neurology and physiotherapy teaching of nerve root levels and sciatica
Explaining lumbar puncture and spinal anaesthesia landmarks to medical and nursing students
Patient education on disc herniation and spinal stenosis
Anatomy lessons on the conus medullaris and cauda equina

Specifications

Model of	Human lumbar spinal column
Vertebrae	Lumbar series, L1 to L5
Structures taught	Discs, spinal canal, nerve roots, cauda equina
Curve	Lumbar lordosis
Nerves, cord, sacrum and pathology shown	Confirm at enquiry

Care & Handling

Hold the lumbar spinal column model at both ends; thin nerve roots between the vertebrae break if the column sags.
Indicate the exposed nerve roots with a probe instead of fingers or pens.
Store the column upright if it has a stand, otherwise flat in its box, never propped against a wall where it can slide.

Why Choose LabEquip

Neurology, anaesthesia and physiotherapy teachers use a lumbar column to connect symptoms in the leg with a level in the spine. LabEquip lists the model among its biology lab products, and the contact page answers questions on its contents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the spinal cord end?

Usually opposite the disc between L1 and L2 in adults, although it can sit a segment higher or lower. Beneath it the canal holds the roots of the cauda equina, bathed in cerebrospinal fluid.

Why is lumbar puncture performed between L3 and L5?

Those spaces lie well below the tip of the cord, so the needle reaches cerebrospinal fluid among loose nerve roots, which tend to drift aside from the needle rather than being pierced.

What is sciatica?

Pain spreading from the buttock down the back or side of the leg along the path of the sciatic nerve, usually caused by a lumbar nerve root being pressed or irritated, often by a disc herniation.

Which nerve root does an L4-L5 disc herniation affect?

Typically the L5 root, because a posterolateral bulge presses on the root passing down to exit below the next vertebra. The root exiting at the same level can be affected by a more lateral herniation.

What is cauda equina syndrome?

Compression of many nerve roots below the spinal cord, often by a large disc herniation. Warning signs include numbness around the anus and genitals and problems with bladder or bowel control, and it needs emergency treatment.

What is lumbar spinal stenosis?

Narrowing of the spinal canal or nerve exits, usually from age-related disc, joint and ligament changes. It typically causes leg pain or heaviness when walking that is relieved by sitting or leaning forward.

Last Updated: September 2026

Human Lumbar Set Model

Quick Answer: The Human Lumbar Set Model is a lumbar spine model representing the lower back, the five lumbar vertebrae with their discs as such sets are usually made, used to teach how the lower spine carries load and why it is the commonest site of back pain.

The Lower Back Under Load

The five lumbar vertebrae carry more body weight than any others in the spine, and their bodies are correspondingly large and kidney-shaped. Between them, intervertebral discs with a tough outer annulus fibrosus and a gel-like nucleus pulposus absorb and spread the load. Behind the discs, pairs of small facet joints guide movement: their upright, curved surfaces allow bending forward and backward but limit twisting, which protects the discs from rotational strain.

A lumbar set suits back-care teaching well. Pressure inside the lower lumbar discs rises when a person bends forward and lifts with straight legs, and falls when the load is held close to the body with knees bent, a difference students can link to the vertebrae in front of them. With age, discs lose water and height, the facet joints wear, and bony spurs called osteophytes form at the edges of the vertebral bodies; some lumbar models show these degenerative changes alongside healthy segments.

The listing does not say whether the set includes the sacrum, spinal nerves, a spinal cord or any pathology, so confirm the contents. For single-vertebra detail, the human lumbar vertebrae model is listed separately.

Applications

Back-care and manual-handling training for nurses, carers and warehouse staff
Physiotherapy teaching of lumbar movement, posture and core stability
Explaining disc degeneration and facet joint arthritis to patients
Anatomy lessons on the structure of discs and facet joints

Care of the Lumbar Set

Lift the lumbar set by its base or by the lowest vertebra; holding the top piece puts the whole column’s weight on the discs.
Avoid bending a flexible column past its natural curve when demonstrating forward bending.
Brush dust out of the facet joints and intervertebral foramina, and keep the set in a closed cupboard.

Specifications

Model of	Human lumbar spine (lower back), as a set
Vertebrae	L1 to L5
Structures taught	Vertebral bodies, intervertebral discs, facet joints
Teaching focus	Load bearing, lifting posture, degenerative change
Sacrum, nerves and pathology shown	Confirm at enquiry

Why Choose LabEquip

Physiotherapy clinics, occupational health teams and nursing schools use a lumbar set when they teach safe lifting, because it shows exactly where the strain falls. LabEquip lists the set among its biology lab products; the contact page handles questions about its contents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are lumbar vertebrae so large?

They support the weight of the head, arms and trunk above them. Their broad, thick bodies spread that load over a larger area of disc and bone than the smaller vertebrae higher up.

What is an intervertebral disc made of?

A tough outer ring of layered fibrocartilage, the annulus fibrosus, surrounding a soft, water-rich core, the nucleus pulposus. The core spreads pressure evenly while the ring contains it.

Why is lifting with a bent back discouraged?

Bending forward with straight legs and the load far from the body greatly increases pressure on the lower lumbar discs and strain on the back ligaments. Keeping the load close, bending the knees and avoiding twisting reduces it.

What are facet joints?

Small paired joints between the back of each vertebra and the next, lined with cartilage. In the lumbar spine they allow bending forward and backward but restrict rotation, and they can become arthritic with age.

What happens to lumbar discs with age?

They lose water and height, becoming less springy. This narrows the gaps between vertebrae, loads the facet joints more and can contribute to stiffness and back pain, although many people with disc changes have no symptoms.

Which lumbar levels cause most problems?

The lowest two, L4-L5 and L5-S1, carry the greatest load and move the most, so disc and facet problems are most common there.

Last Updated: September 2026

Human Leg Bone Model With Blood Vessels

Quick Answer: The Human Leg Bone Model With Blood Vessels is a leg bone model with blood vessels: the lower-limb skeleton with its main arteries, and usually its principal veins, laid along the bones. It is used to teach the blood supply of the leg and foot and where pulses can be felt.

The Arterial Route to the Foot

Blood reaches the leg through the femoral artery, which continues from the external iliac artery beneath the inguinal ligament and runs down the front of the thigh before passing through an opening in the adductor muscles to the back of the knee. There it becomes the popliteal artery, lying deep in the fossa behind the knee. Below the knee it divides into the anterior tibial artery, which continues onto the top of the foot as the dorsalis pedis, and the posterior tibial artery, which gives off the fibular artery and passes behind the inner ankle to the sole.

The veins form two systems. Deep veins run with the arteries and return most of the blood; superficial veins lie in the fat under the skin. The great saphenous vein, the longest vein in the body, starts in front of the inner ankle and climbs the inner leg and thigh to join the femoral vein in the groin, while the small saphenous vein runs up the back of the calf to the popliteal vein. Valves in both keep blood moving upward against gravity.

Whether veins are shown, and whether the hip bone or the foot bones are included, is not stated in the title, so confirm the extent before ordering. The human arm bone model with blood vessels is the matching upper-limb model, and the human foot set model looks at the foot in more detail.

Specifications

Model of	Lower-limb bones with blood vessels
Arteries typically shown	Femoral, popliteal, anterior and posterior tibial, fibular, dorsalis pedis
Veins	Great and small saphenous and deep veins, where included
Bones	Femur, patella, tibia, fibula and foot bones
Hip bone, side and mounting	Confirm at enquiry

Applications

Nursing and medical teaching of peripheral pulse points in the leg and foot
Explaining varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis and venous valves
Anatomy lessons linking bone landmarks to vessels, such as the popliteal fossa
Vascular teaching on why the great saphenous vein is used for bypass grafts

Care & Handling

Support the leg bone model at the thigh and the ankle when carrying it; the ankle region holds fine vessels that tear if the foot swings.
Point to vessels with a probe rather than lifting them away from the bone.
Keep the model upright on its stand if it has one, or flat in a long box, so there is no strain on the knee connection.

Why Choose LabEquip

Nursing schools, vascular teaching units and anatomy departments use this model to link pulse checks and vein problems with bones students already know. LabEquip lists it among its biology lab products; ask about its extent through the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the pulses in the leg felt?

The femoral pulse in the groin, the popliteal pulse deep behind the bent knee, the posterior tibial pulse behind the inner ankle bone and the dorsalis pedis pulse on the top of the foot. Weak or absent foot pulses can indicate narrowed arteries.

What is the great saphenous vein?

The longest vein in the body, running from in front of the inner ankle up the inner leg and thigh to join the femoral vein in the groin. It is often used as a graft in heart bypass surgery.

Why do varicose veins form in the legs?

Veins in the legs return blood against gravity using one-way valves. When valves in the superficial veins fail, blood pools and the veins stretch, becoming swollen and twisted.

What is deep vein thrombosis?

It is a blood clot in a deep vein, most often in the calf or thigh. It can cause swelling and pain, and a clot that breaks off can travel to the lungs, which is why it is treated urgently.

Why is the popliteal pulse hard to feel?

The popliteal artery lies deep in the fossa behind the knee, beneath fat and fascia. The knee is bent slightly to relax the tissues and the examiner presses firmly with the fingertips of both hands.

How is this model used alongside the arm model?

Both follow a main artery down a limb and show where it branches. Teaching them together highlights the parallel pattern: the brachial artery corresponds to the femoral and popliteal, and the forearm arteries to those of the lower leg.

Last Updated: September 2026

Human Knee Joint Model, Life Size

Quick Answer: The Human Knee Joint Model, Life Size is a knee joint model at natural size, showing where the femur meets the tibia and the patella, and used to teach the surfaces, ligaments and cartilage of the largest joint in the body.

Structures of the Knee

The knee joins the femur, the tibia and the patella; the fibula sits beside the tibia but does not enter the knee joint itself. The two femoral condyles rest on the medial and lateral parts of the tibial plateau, and between them rise the intercondylar eminences, near which the cruciate ligaments and menisci attach. The patella, a sesamoid bone in the quadriceps tendon, glides in a groove at the front of the femur and increases the leverage of the thigh muscles.

On a life-size model students can see how shallow the tibial surfaces are and why the menisci matter. The medial meniscus is C-shaped and firmly fixed to the joint capsule and medial collateral ligament, so it is less mobile and more often torn; the lateral meniscus is more circular and moves more freely. Around the joint lie several bursae, including those in front of and below the patella, which become inflamed in people who kneel a lot.

Sports injuries are easier to explain with the anatomy in hand: a blow to the outside of the knee can tear the medial collateral ligament, anterior cruciate ligament and medial meniscus together. The listing states life size but not which ligaments or cartilages are shown, so confirm those details. The functional knee joint model adds movement, and the femur bone model shows the upper bone in full.

Specifications

Model of	Human knee joint
Scale	Life size, as stated in the title
Bones	Distal femur, proximal tibia, patella; fibula alongside
Soft tissues taught	Menisci, cruciate and collateral ligaments, bursae
Structures shown and mounting	Confirm at enquiry

Care & Handling

Stand the knee joint model upright if it has a base, or lay it on a soft cloth, never balanced on the patella.
Clean the joint surfaces with a dry, lint-free cloth; fibres caught between the menisci are awkward to remove.
Keep it out of direct sun, which fades the colours used to separate ligaments from cartilage.

Applications

Anatomy practicals identifying the condyles, plateau, menisci and patella
Orthopaedic and physiotherapy teaching of ligament and meniscus injuries
Explaining knee osteoarthritis and knee replacement to patients
Discussing kneecap problems and bursitis in sports and occupational health

Why Choose LabEquip

Orthopaedic clinics, physiotherapy colleges and anatomy departments buy a static knee for detailed teaching of the joint’s surfaces and soft tissues. LabEquip keeps it in its biology lab products; use the contact page for questions about the structures shown.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which bones form the knee joint?

The femur, tibia and patella. The fibula lies alongside the tibia and gives attachment to the lateral collateral ligament but does not take part in the knee joint itself.

Why is the medial meniscus torn more often than the lateral?

The medial meniscus is attached to the joint capsule and the medial collateral ligament, so it cannot move away from a twisting force as easily. The more mobile lateral meniscus escapes more often.

What is the unhappy triad?

A combined injury of the anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament and medial meniscus, classically caused by a blow to the outside of the knee while the foot is planted.

What does the patella do?

It protects the front of the knee and moves the quadriceps tendon further from the joint’s centre, increasing the leverage of the thigh muscles when straightening the leg.

What happens in knee osteoarthritis?

The cartilage covering the joint surfaces wears thin, the bone beneath thickens and small bony spurs form. The joint becomes painful and stiff, and severe cases may need a knee replacement.

What is housemaid’s knee?

It is inflammation of the bursa in front of the kneecap, caused by frequent kneeling. The swelling sits over the patella rather than inside the joint.

Last Updated: September 2026

Human Knee Joint Model, Functional, Life Size

Quick Answer: The Human Knee Joint Model, Functional, Life Size is a functional knee joint model at natural size, with the femur, tibia and usually the patella and fibula linked so the knee can be bent and straightened, letting students see how ligaments and menisci behave during movement.

How the Knee Moves

The knee is often called a hinge, but a functional model shows it does more. As it bends, the rounded femoral condyles both roll and slide back on the flat tibial plateau, so the contact point moves. In the last degrees of straightening, the femur rotates slightly on the tibia and the joint locks, the so-called screw-home mechanism that lets a person stand with little muscle effort. To bend again, the popliteus muscle unlocks the joint by reversing that rotation.

Movement also shows what each ligament does. The anterior cruciate ligament stops the tibia sliding forward under the femur, and the posterior cruciate stops it sliding back; the two cross inside the joint and change tension as the knee bends. The medial and lateral collateral ligaments resist sideways forces and are tight when the knee is straight, which is why the bent knee can rotate slightly and the straight one cannot. The menisci move with the femur, cushioning and spreading the load.

The title confirms life size and a functional design but not the exact structures included or how the joint is linked, so confirm whether menisci and the patella are present. The static knee joint model, life size suits close study of the surfaces.

Applications

Physiotherapy and sports-science teaching of knee movement and stability
Demonstrating the anterior and posterior drawer tests used to assess the cruciate ligaments
Explaining ligament and meniscus injuries to patients in clinics
Anatomy lessons comparing a modified hinge joint with a true hinge

Specifications

Model of	Human knee joint, movable
Scale	Life size, as stated in the title
Movements shown	Flexion, extension, rotation when bent
Structures taught	Cruciate and collateral ligaments, menisci, patella
Structures included and linkage	Confirm at enquiry

Care & Handling

Bend the functional knee joint model slowly and support the tibia; letting the lower bone drop strains the ligament cords.
Do not force the joint sideways to mimic an injury; describe the mechanism with the model held straight.
Keep it clean with a dry cloth and check the ligament cords for wear before each practical.

Why Choose LabEquip

Sports medicine clinics, physiotherapy colleges and orthopaedic departments choose a moving knee because the knee’s problems only make sense in motion. LabEquip lists it in biology lab products, and questions go through the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the screw-home mechanism?

In the last part of straightening, the femur rotates slightly on the tibia and the knee locks. This lets people stand for long periods with little muscle work. The popliteus muscle unlocks the knee when bending begins.

What does the anterior cruciate ligament prevent?

It stops the tibia moving forward relative to the femur and helps control rotation. It is commonly torn in sports involving sudden stops, landings and changes of direction.

Why can the knee rotate only when bent?

When the knee is straight the collateral ligaments are tight and the joint is locked. As it bends, the ligaments slacken and a little rotation becomes possible.

What are the menisci for?

The two C-shaped pads of fibrocartilage deepen the flat tibial surface, spread load over a wider area and help stabilise the joint. They can tear with twisting on a bent, weight-bearing knee.

What is the drawer test?

The examiner bends the knee to about ninety degrees and pulls the tibia forward or pushes it back. Excess forward movement suggests an anterior cruciate tear, and excess backward movement a posterior cruciate tear.

How is the functional model different from the static knee model?

The functional model can be bent and straightened to show how ligaments and menisci behave in motion. The static model is fixed and suits close study of bone surfaces and structures.

Last Updated: September 2026

Human Hip Joint Model

Quick Answer: The Human Hip Joint Model is a hip joint model showing the head of the femur seated in the acetabulum of the pelvis, used to teach how this ball-and-socket joint moves, what holds it together and why it is so often injured or replaced.

A Deep Ball-and-Socket Joint

The hip joint links the pelvis to the lower limb. The femoral head forms about two-thirds of a sphere and fits deeply into the acetabulum, whose rim is deepened further by a ring of fibrocartilage, the acetabular labrum. This close fit makes the hip far more stable than the shoulder, at the price of a smaller range of movement, and it allows flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, medial and lateral rotation and circumduction.

Three strong ligaments reinforce the capsule. The iliofemoral ligament at the front, shaped like an inverted Y, is one of the strongest in the body and stops the hip over-extending when a person stands; the pubofemoral and ischiofemoral ligaments add support below and behind. Inside the joint, a small ligament of the head of the femur carries a minor artery to the head, which matters more in children than in adults.

The listing does not state whether this model shows ligaments or moves, or whether it is life size, so confirm the form. A separate femur bone model shows the whole thigh bone, and the pelvis model with five lumbar vertebrae places the hip within the wider pelvic ring.

Handling the Hip Model

Carry the hip joint model by the pelvic portion or its base, not by the femur, which acts as a lever on the joint.
If the joint moves, return it to a neutral position after each lesson rather than leaving it fully rotated.
Clean around the acetabular rim with a soft brush and a dry wipe; moisture trapped in the socket can mark the surface.

Applications

Anatomy teaching of ball-and-socket joints and hip movements
Orthopaedic and nursing lessons on hip fracture, arthritis and hip replacement
Physiotherapy explanations of hip precautions after surgery
Discussing developmental dysplasia of the hip in child health courses

Specifications

Model of	Human hip joint
Joint type	Synovial ball-and-socket
Bones	Hip bone at the acetabulum and upper femur
Structures taught	Acetabular labrum, capsule, iliofemoral, pubofemoral and ischiofemoral ligaments
Ligaments shown, movement and scale	Confirm at enquiry

Why Choose LabEquip

Orthopaedic wards, physiotherapy schools and anatomy teachers use a hip model to explain one of the joints most often replaced in surgery. LabEquip lists this model in its biology lab products; ask about its form through the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the hip more stable than the shoulder?

The acetabulum is deep and wraps around much of the femoral head, and strong ligaments and muscles surround it. The shoulder socket is shallow, trading stability for a larger range of movement.

What is the acetabular labrum?

A ring of fibrocartilage attached to the rim of the acetabulum that deepens the socket and helps seal the joint. Tears of the labrum can cause groin pain and clicking.

Which ligament is the strongest in the hip?

The iliofemoral ligament at the front of the joint. It tightens when the hip extends, allowing a person to stand upright with little muscle effort.

What happens in a hip replacement?

The worn joint surfaces are replaced with artificial parts: a cup set into the acetabulum and a stem in the femur carrying a new ball. It is most often done for arthritis or for some hip fractures.

What is developmental dysplasia of the hip?

It is a condition in which a baby’s hip socket is shallow or the joint is unstable, so the femoral head can slip out. Babies are screened for it because early treatment is simpler.

Which movements does the hip allow?

Flexion and extension, abduction and adduction, medial and lateral rotation, and circumduction, which combines them in a circle. Walking, sitting and climbing stairs all depend on these movements.

Last Updated: September 2026

Human Hand Joint Model with Ligaments, Life-Size

Quick Answer: The Human Hand Joint Model with Ligaments, Life-Size is a hand joint model with ligaments that reproduces the bones of the wrist and hand at natural size, together with the ligaments that hold them, for teaching hand anatomy, joint movement and common hand injuries.

Bones and Ligaments of the Hand

The hand and wrist contain 27 bones: eight carpals arranged in two rows, five metacarpals in the palm and fourteen phalanges in the fingers and thumb. The proximal row of carpals is the scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum and pisiform, and the distal row the trapezium, trapezoid, capitate and hamate. At life size, students can match each carpal to its position on their own wrist.

Ligaments are what make this model more than a bone set. Collateral ligaments on either side of each finger joint prevent sideways bending, and palmar plates under the joints stop the fingers bending backwards. At the wrist, many small intercarpal ligaments bind the carpals, and the transverse carpal ligament bridges the front to form the roof of the carpal tunnel, through which the median nerve and flexor tendons pass. The thumb’s saddle-shaped joint with the trapezium explains how it can move across the palm to meet the fingers.

Whether the forearm bones or muscles are included is not stated, so confirm the extent of the model. The functional elbow joint model shows forearm rotation above the wrist, which completes the picture of how the hand is positioned.

Specifications

Model of	Human hand and wrist joints with ligaments
Scale	Life-size, as stated in the title
Bones	8 carpals, 5 metacarpals, 14 phalanges
Ligaments taught	Collateral ligaments, palmar plates, transverse carpal ligament, intercarpal ligaments
Forearm portion and mounting	Confirm at enquiry

Care & Handling

Handle the hand joint model by the wrist end or its base; the finger joints and their ligaments are the parts most easily damaged.
Do not bend the fingers backwards or sideways to show a ligament injury; describe it with the model in its natural position.
Dust with a soft brush between the fingers and keep the model covered, since ligament materials attract fluff.

Applications

Anatomy lessons on the carpal bones and the joints of the fingers and thumb
Hand therapy and physiotherapy teaching on sprains and splinting
Explaining carpal tunnel syndrome and scaphoid fractures
Occupational therapy training on grip, pinch and hand function

Why Choose LabEquip

Hand-therapy courses, physiotherapy schools and anatomy departments choose a life-size hand model with ligaments because so much hand-injury teaching concerns soft tissue. LabEquip lists it within biology lab products; reach LabEquip through the contact page for details of the forearm portion.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bones are in the hand and wrist?

Twenty-seven: eight carpal bones, five metacarpals and fourteen phalanges. The thumb has two phalanges and each finger has three.

Why is a scaphoid fracture important?

The scaphoid is the most commonly broken carpal bone, usually after a fall on an outstretched hand. Its blood supply enters mainly from one end, so a fracture can leave part of the bone without blood and slow to heal.

What is the carpal tunnel?

It is a passage at the front of the wrist, with carpal bones as its floor and walls and the transverse carpal ligament as its roof. The median nerve and nine flexor tendons pass through it, so swelling there can compress the nerve.

What do the collateral ligaments of the fingers do?

They run along each side of the finger joints and stop sideways movement. A sideways force, as when a ball strikes a finger, can sprain or tear them.

What is skier’s thumb?

It is an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament at the base of the thumb, often from a fall onto a ski pole. It weakens pinch grip because the thumb can no longer resist sideways pressure.

Why is the thumb joint called a saddle joint?

The surfaces of the trapezium and the first metacarpal are each curved like a saddle, one fitting the other. This shape allows movement in two planes and lets the thumb swing across to touch the fingertips.

Last Updated: September 2026

Human Foot Set Model

Quick Answer: The Human Foot Set Model is a set of foot models used together to teach the bones and arches of the foot and to compare foot shapes. Such sets commonly contrast a normal arch with a flat foot and a high-arched foot, and the pieces in this human foot set model should be confirmed before ordering.

The Arches of the Foot

Each foot has 26 bones: seven tarsals, including the talus and calcaneus, five metatarsals and fourteen phalanges. They form three arches. The medial longitudinal arch is the high one along the inner side, running from the heel through the navicular and cuneiforms to the first three metatarsal heads; the lateral longitudinal arch is lower and flatter; and the transverse arch runs across the midfoot. Ligaments, the plantar fascia and muscles hold the arches up while letting them flatten slightly to absorb each step.

A foot set makes the differences between foot types visible. In pes planus, or flat foot, the medial arch is low or absent and the heel often tilts outward; in pes cavus, the arch is unusually high and weight is concentrated on the heel and forefoot. Placing models side by side, or comparing them with students’ own wet footprints, shows why each type changes pressure, shoe wear and the risk of certain injuries.

The listing names a foot set but not its pieces, scale or material. Sets of this kind commonly include normal, flat and high-arched feet, but some are skeletal and some show muscles or skin, so check what this set contains. The leg bone model with blood vessels continues the lower limb above the ankle.

Applications

Anatomy and physiotherapy lessons on the bones and arches of the foot
Podiatry and sports-science teaching on flat foot, high arch and footwear
Classroom footprint investigations comparing students’ arches with the models
Explaining the plantar fascia and heel pain in health education

Specifications

Model of	Human feet, supplied as a set
Bones taught	7 tarsals, 5 metatarsals, 14 phalanges per foot
Arches taught	Medial longitudinal, lateral longitudinal, transverse
Foot types compared	Normal arch, flat foot, high arch, as such sets usually show
Pieces, scale and material	Confirm at enquiry

Care & Handling

Keep each model in the foot set in its own labelled place so normal and altered feet are not confused.
Clean with a soft brush and a damp cloth; small toe bones and ligament joins are easily snagged by rough fabric.
Rest the feet on their soles on a flat shelf; storing them on their sides can bend thin toe sections over time.

Why Choose LabEquip

Podiatry courses, physiotherapy colleges and school biology departments use foot sets to turn a familiar body part into a study of structure and function. LabEquip lists this set under biology lab products; use the contact page to check which feet it contains.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bones are in the human foot?

Twenty-six: seven tarsal bones, five metatarsals and fourteen phalanges. Small sesamoid bones under the big toe are sometimes counted separately.

What is flat foot?

Flat foot, or pes planus, is a low or collapsed medial arch, so most of the sole touches the ground. It is common and often causes no problem, but some people get pain in the arch, ankle or knee.

What is a high-arched foot?

Pes cavus is an unusually high medial arch. Less of the sole touches the ground, so pressure concentrates on the heel and the ball of the foot, which can cause pain and calluses.

How can students test their own arch?

Use the wet footprint test: wet the sole, stand on paper or a dark tile and look at the print. A wide print with no inner curve suggests a low arch, while a thin band between heel and forefoot suggests a high arch.

What does the plantar fascia do?

It is a thick band of tissue from the heel to the toes that supports the medial arch. When the big toe bends up during walking it tightens and raises the arch, a mechanism called the windlass effect.

Why do arches matter in shoe choice?

Arch type affects how the foot rolls and where pressure falls. People with flat feet may need more support under the arch, and those with high arches often need more cushioning.

Last Updated: September 2026

Human Femur Bone Model

Quick Answer: The Human Femur Bone Model is a femur bone model, a replica of the thigh bone, the longest and strongest bone in the human body, used to teach its landmarks from the rounded head at the hip down to the condyles at the knee.

Landmarks of the Thigh Bone

At its upper end the femur has a smooth, ball-shaped head that fits into the acetabulum of the pelvis, with a small pit, the fovea, where a ligament attaches. The narrow neck joins the head to the shaft at an angle, generally around 125 degrees in adults. Where neck and shaft meet stand two bony prominences, the greater trochanter on the outside and the lesser trochanter on the inner back surface, which anchor powerful hip muscles.

The shaft is smooth and bowed slightly forwards, with a rough ridge down the back, the linea aspera, for the thigh muscles. At the lower end it widens into the medial and lateral condyles, which roll on the tibia at the knee, separated at the back by the intercondylar fossa where the cruciate ligaments attach. At the front, a smooth groove forms the joint surface for the patella, and the epicondyles above the condyles give origin to the collateral ligaments.

The femur model is often used to explain why hip fractures in older people are serious: much of the blood supply to the head runs up along the neck, so a displaced fracture there can starve the head of blood. The listing does not state the side, the scale or the material, so confirm those. For the joints at either end, see the hip joint model and the knee joint model.

Specifications

Model of	Human femur (thigh bone)
Upper end	Head with fovea, neck, greater and lesser trochanters
Shaft	Linea aspera on the posterior surface
Lower end	Medial and lateral condyles, epicondyles, patellar surface
Side, scale and material	Confirm at enquiry

Applications

Osteology practicals on the lower limb, identifying landmarks and muscle attachments
Orthopaedic and physiotherapy teaching of hip fractures and hip replacement
Forensic lessons on how femur length helps estimate stature
Comparing bone shape with an X-ray of the thigh

Care & Handling

Hold the femur bone model at the shaft; the neck is the thinnest part and can snap if the bone is lifted by the head.
Wipe with a slightly damp cloth and dry it; avoid solvents that remove printed or painted muscle markings.
Lay the model flat on a padded shelf so it cannot roll off.

Why Choose LabEquip

Anatomy departments, orthopaedic training units and forensic science courses use a single femur for close study that a skeleton on a stand makes awkward. LabEquip lists the model in its biology lab products; send questions on side and scale through the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the femur the strongest bone?

It carries the body’s weight in standing, walking and running, and its thick-walled tubular shaft resists bending and twisting. Its length also makes it the longest bone in the body.

What is the angle of inclination of the femur?

It is the angle between the neck and the shaft, generally around 125 degrees in adults. A larger angle is called coxa valga and a smaller one coxa vara, and both change the mechanics of the hip.

Why are femoral neck fractures a concern in older adults?

Bone thins with age, making the neck easier to break after a fall. Because vessels to the head run along the neck, a displaced fracture can cut off blood to the head, which may then collapse.

How do you tell a left femur from a right femur?

Hold the bone upright as if it were in your own leg, head at the top and the smooth patellar groove facing the same way you face. The head points towards the midline, so a femur whose head points to your left is a right femur.

What attaches to the greater and lesser trochanters?

The greater trochanter receives the gluteus medius and minimus and several small hip rotators. The lesser trochanter is the attachment of the iliopsoas, the main muscle that bends the hip.

Can femur length be used to estimate height?

Yes. Femur length correlates with stature, and forensic scientists use formulae derived from reference populations to estimate a person’s height from the bone, with a margin of error.

Last Updated: September 2026