CLASSIFICATION OF BONES ACCORDING TO SHAPE

LONG BONES

such as the femur, humerus, and radius consist of a shaft (or diaphysis) and two extremities (or epiphyses).

SHORT BONES

such as those of the metacarpus (hand) and metatarsus (foot) consist of a shaft and two extremities and sometimes are referred to as long bones in miniature.

FLAT BONES

such as those of the skull, scapulae, and innominates having relatively extensive surfaces for protection or for muscular attachment.

IRREGULAR BONES

such as the vertebrae, and the maxillary and sphenoid bones. These have irregular and often very complex shapes.