There are flat bones in the skull (occipital, parietal, frontal, nasal, lacrimal, and vomer), the thoracic cage (sternum and ribs), and the pelvis (ilium, ischium, and pubis). The function of flat bones is to protect internal organs such as the brain, heart, and pelvic organs.
Short bones include the carpal bones of the hands that allow movement of the wrist and the tarsal bones of the feet that allow movement of the ankle. Short bones are shaped roughly like a cube and contain mostly spongy bone. The outside surface is comprised of a thin layer of compact bone.
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Long bones are hard, dense bones that provide strength, structure, and mobility. The thigh bone (femur) is a long bone. A long bone has a shaft and two ends. Some bones in the fingers are classified as long bones, even though they are short in length. This is due to the shape of the bones, not their size.
