Long bones are the longest bones in the body like the femur, humerus, and tibia. They have a shaft longer than wide with growth plates at the ends and a hard outer layer of compact bone surrounding spongy cancellous bone and marrow. Both ends are covered in cartilage.
Short bones like the carpals and tarsals are approximately as wide as long and provide support and stability with little movement. They have a thin compact outer layer surrounding cancellous bone and marrow.
Flat bones such as the scapula, sternum, skull bones, and ribs are plate-like bones that protect organs and provide muscle attachment. They have compact bone on the surfaces and cancellous bone in the