bone classification system

how should we describe long bones

a bone that is cylindrical in shape. It is longer than it is wide. The term refers to the shape of the bone, not the size.

Examples of long bones include

femur, clavicle, humerus, ulna, radius, phalanx, metacarpals, fibula, tibia

how should we describe flat bones

although these bones are thin and appear flat, they are often curved

examples of flat bones

frontal bone, parietal bone, occipital bone, lacrimal bone, nasal bone, vomer, sternum, rib, scapula

how should we we describe small bones (or short bones)

cube-like in shape, approximately equal in length, width, and thickness.

examples of small/short bones

carpal bones, tarsal bones

how should we describe sesamoid bones

small, round bones that are suspended within a tendon or ligament

examples of sesamoid bones

patella, sesamoid bones of the thumb and great toe, fabella

how should we describe irregular bones

bones that don’t have an easily characterized shape- not fitting any of the previous categories

examples of irregular bones

mandible, sacrum, os coxae, vertebrae, sphenoid