Answer to Question #222913 in Human Anatomy and Physiology for Yesbed

Question

Types of bones

Answer 1

Human bones are classified by their shape. They include, flat bones, short bones, long bones, and irregular bones. Flat bones are flat in shape and provides protection or serves as a large area for muscle attachment. They can also be slightly curved and are often not very thick. These bones are located in the sternum (breastbone), the ribs, the skull, and the shoulder blades (called scapulae). Short bones are among the smallest bones in the body, often functions to reduce friction at a joint or to prevent tearing of tendons. They can be found in the ankles and wrists, as well as within some tendons. Long bones have two knobbed ends with a long shaft between them. They are longer and are wide to provide strength, structure, and mobility. Other than the wrist, ankle, and kneecap, all bones found in the arms and legs are considered this type. The term "long bone" is not necessarily descriptive of the size of the bone. Additionally, there are some bones found within the hands that also have the characteristic long bone shape. The last type of bomes is the irregukar bones. These bones do not have a recognizable shape and serves a variety of functions, including protection, support, and points of muscle attachment. Irregular bones may have protrusions sticking out from them, such as with the vertebrae, or they may be rounded in certain areas with large differences in thickness, such as in the pelvis.