Nicole's Anatomy & Physio Blog: Chicken Dissection Analysis

The chicken dissection lab is a good way to compare the muscles of chickens to the muscles in humans. Both sets of muscles are similar in many ways so they are able to be easily compared. In this lab, we skinned the chicken and cut into several of the major muscles in order to both view their location and functions relative to the areas they controlled. In the muscular system, bones help provide a basic structure that muscles can attach to and move. Tendons help attach the muscles to bones so that muscles can function. For example, the quadriceps (muscles) work to move the femur bones in our legs. This movement is only possible because of the patellar tendon attaching the quadriceps muscle to the femur in the first place.
When comparing the origin and the insertion ends of tendons, one finds that the origin end of the tendon is more taunt than the insertion end since it is where the muscle is being secured to the bone. The insertion end is more flexible since it contracts along with the muscles when the origin is secure.

3 examples compare/ contrast chicken vs. human muscles
1. Quadriceps femoris: The quadriceps femoris help extend the flexors of the knee joint which in turn help humans run, jump, and squat. In chickens, the quadriceps femoris also helps to extend the thigh as well as bring the thigh backwards.
2. Gastrocnemius: This muscle is found on the dorsal and medial sides of the drumstick in chickens. It has two points of origins that are attached to the Achilles tendon that is located around the hock in chickens, and the heel in humans. In both cases, it helps extend the foot and flexes the lower leg and is used in standing on toes. In chickens, this muscle would probably be less developed since chickens, especially genetically modified ones, are often found sitting down or roosting instead of walking around.
3. Deltoid: The deltoid muscle helps move the scapulae in the shoulders in humans. In chickens, the deltoid muscle helps to move the shoulder and to rotate the chicken's wings.