Final answer:
Bones are classified into types such as long bones (e.g. femur), short bones (e.g. carpals), flat bones (e.g. ribs), and irregular bones (e.g. vertebrae), based on their shape and structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The bones of the human skeleton are classified into several categories based on their shape and structure. The main types of bones are long bones, short bones, flat bones, and irregular bones.
- Long bones are characterized by a length greater than their width and consist of a shaft and two ends. They typically have a central cavity filled with bone marrow. Examples of long bones include the femur, tibia, ulna, and radius.
- Short bones, or cuboidal bones, have approximately equal width and length, resembling a cube shape. They are found in the wrist (carpals) and ankle (tarsals).
- Flat bones are thin and typically provide protection or muscular attachment. They include bones like the skull, ribs, and sternum.
- Irregular bones have complex shapes that do not fit into the other categories, like the vertebrae and some of the facial bones.
To match the bones to their types: a femur is a long bone, a carpal is a short bone, a rib is a flat bone, and a vertebra is an irregular bone.