Bone Structure

• bones are classified into five groups:

  • long bones
  • short bones
  • flat bones
  • sesamoid bones
  • irregular bones
• the irregularly shaped structures in the wrists, ankles and toes

  short bones
• the very small bones found near joints


  sesamoid bones
• those that do not fall neatly into the first four categories, such as the vertebrae and the bones of the ear

  irregular bones
• the broad bones found in the shoulder, skull and ribs


  flat bones
• the strong bones of the armsand legs

  long bones
• in adults, cartilage is ossifies forming the epiphyseal line
• epiphysis consist of three layers of tissue:

  • articular cartilage
  • compact bone
  • spongy or cancellous bone