Types of Bones
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Bones can be classified according to their formation and shape. They are called long bones, short bones, flat bones, irregular bones and sesamoid bones.
Long bones have a greater length than width and consist of a shaft with normally two extremities, examples include the humerus, femur, tibia, fibula, ulna, radius, metacarpal, metatarsals and phalanges.
Short bones are normally about as long as they are wide. Examples are carpals and tarsals.
Flat bones are thin bones sandwiched between two compact layers, they provide protection and large areas for muscle attachment, examples include the scapula, cranial bones, ribs and the sternum.
Irregular bones form very complex shapes and therefore cannot be classified within the previous groups, an example of an irregular bone is the vertebrae.
Sesamoid bones develop within particular tendons at a site of considerable friction or tension. They served to improve leverage and protect the joint from damage, the example is the patella, which is also called the kneecap.