Classifying Bones

Classification of Bone

by Heather Spudich

​Long Bones

​1. Cylindrical in shape

​2. Longer than it is wide

​3. Function as levers

​4. Slightly curved allowing absorption of shock

​5. Found in the arms, legs, clavicle

​Short Bones

​1. Cube shaped

​2. Approximately equal length, width, and thickness

​3. Provide stability, support, and limited movement

​4. Found in the carpals and tarsals

​Flat Bones

​1. Provide protection and broad surfaces for muscle attachment

​2. Cranium, pelvic girdle, sternum, ribs, scapula

​

​Irregular Bones

​

​1. Does not have an easily characterized shape

​2. Has a complex shape

​3. Examples include the vertebrae, sacrum, coccyx, temporal, sphenoid, ethmoid, zygomatic, maxilla, mandible, palatine, inferior nasal concha, and hyoid.

​Sesamoid Bones

​1. Small, round bones

​2. Form in tendons

​3. Protect tendons bying them overcome compressive forces

​4. Vary in number and loacation from person to person

​5. Patella the only sesamoid bone all humans share

Multiple Choice

Which of these is a long bone?

• Femur
• Patella
• Scapula
• Carpal

Multiple Choice

Which of these is an irregular bone(s)?

• sacrum

• Humerus
• Phalanges
• Tarsals

Multiple Choice

Which of these is a flat bone?

• Vertebra
• Tibia
• Fibula
• Frontal

Multiple Choice

Which of these is a short bone?

• Femur

• tarsal

• Scapula

• Ulna

Multiple Select

Femur

• Long

• Short

• Flat

• Irregular

Multiple Select

Cranium

• Long

• Short

• Flat

• Irregular

Multiple Select

Tibia

• Long

• Short

• Flat

• Irregular

Multiple Select

Vertebrae

• Long

• Short

• Flat

• Irregular

Multiple Select

Carpals

• Long

• Short

• Flat

• Irregular

Multiple Select

Scapula

• Long

• Short

• Flat

• Irregular

Multiple Select

Ulna

• Long

• Short

• Flat

• Irregular

Multiple Select

Tarsals

• Long

• Short

• Flat

• Irregular

Multiple Select

Pelvis

• Long

• Short

• Flat

• Irregular

Multiple Select

Phalanges

• Long

• Short

• Flat

• Irregular

Multiple Select

Humerus

• Long

• Short

• Flat

• Irregular

Multiple Select

Clavicle

• Long

• Short

• Flat

• Irregular

Multiple Select

Ribs

• Long

• Short

• Flat

• Irregular