Bone shopping?

June 7, 2009 9:56 PM

Where to buy a human skeleton?

I'd like to buy a full-sized anatomically correct model human skeleton. A fake human skeleton, please, as I find the real ones to be expensive in both pecuniary and ethical terms. The problem is, the models I've been browsing online vary widely in terms of price and quality. I'd like to find one that is detailed and accurate enough to recognized biological landmarks (i.e. a teaching model), but, like everyone else, I don't want to pay a lot for that level of quality. I'd like it to be unlabeled as well. Does anyone have any advice/experience on what medical supply company/model/price range I should be looking at?

Bonus points if you can come up with a good name.

posted by Panjandrum to shopping (10 comments total)

Have you poked through the offerings of the Anatomical Chart Company yet? My artist housemates used to get other items from ACC for reference, and they seem to offer quite a range of skeletons.
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 10:22 PM on June 7

Oscar is the typical name for a skeleton amongst French speaking people, because it sounds like "os corps" or "bone body".
You could also call him Napoleon, and tell people it's because of the bony parts.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 10:30 PM on June 7 [6 favorites has favorites]

Or you could call him McCoy, if you're a Star Trek fan.
posted by Dasein at 10:34 PM on June 7 [1 favorite has favorites]

I own several plastic skeletons. Some high quality, some very low. Honestly, the difference isn't that great. A while back there were some factory second skeletons on ebay for $80, and I bought two. (that's must me). Let me go see what's there right now:

Here's one for $99 http://cgi.ebay.com/BUCKY-4th-Class-HUMAN-SKELETON-Halloween-Prop_W0QQitemZ330168373758QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4cdf9191fe&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A3%7C66%3A4%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A200
looks pretty good.

a search of "Human Skeleton" on ebay yields a host of them. Like I said: I own a couple very nice skeletons, and a few budget ones and there's not much difference.

Have fun. I love having a skeleton in my office. The stand is a critical part, and they don't always come with one. Make sure you get one with a stand.
posted by asavage at 10:46 PM on June 7 [2 favorites has favorites]

I am somewhat concerned that asavage's skeletons might all have scorch marks, and are probably "named after" former interns.

For your own needs, you may be able to get "used" ones from your local medical college or chiropractic voodoo-office when they replace them or remodel their offices/classrooms. They're also sometimes available in office lot sales, when (medical, chiropractic, sports therapy) offices close down for bankrupcy or whatever. I bought a couple used Aeron chairs that way once and noticed a skeleton available in another lot, but didn't think to buy it. I should have.

Some of these places will probably even let you take one at no cost if you go get it and drive it home yourself. Seatbelt optional.
posted by rokusan at 11:55 PM on June 7

Fisher Scientific.
posted by EnsignLunchmeat at 5:33 AM on June 8

I own a skeleton from the place that FoLA mentioned. Bucky is a 4th quality skeleton, and is typically purchased by haunted houses and the like.

The price was good, and we still have him. There were some issues with him when we got him. I don't remember precisely, but I think that some of the bones were slightly bent, which we solved by submerging in hot water, and then bending back into shape while the plastic was still malleable.

As far as names -- I always wanted to name ours "Napoleon Bone-Apart", but the name was soundly rejected by my wife.
posted by mattybonez at 5:36 AM on June 8

Full-size skeletons from Evolution in NYC. Pricey, though.
posted by The Michael The at 5:42 AM on June 8

Carolina Biological Supply is another source.
posted by TedW at 7:27 AM on June 8

Name him Styx.
posted by acorncup at 9:27 PM on June 8