Final answer:
The long hollow shaft of a bone composed mainly of compact bone on the outside part of the bone is called the diaphysis. It contains the medullary cavity with yellow marrow and is surrounded by the endosteum and periosteum.
Step-by-step explanation:
The long hollow shaft of a bone that is composed mainly of compact bone and constitutes the outside part of the bone is known as the diaphysis. This tubular shaft extends between the proximal and distal ends of the bone. Enclosed within the diaphysis is the medullary cavity, which is filled with yellow bone marrow. The medullary cavity is lined with a delicate membrane called the endosteum, and the entire outer surface of the bone is covered with a fibrous membrane known as the periosteum, except at the joints where articular cartilage is present.
Long bones, such as the femur, tibia, ulna, and radius, are characterized by their length being greater than their width and generally consist of a diaphysis made of compact bone. At each end of the diaphysis are the epiphyses, which are filled with spongy bone and red marrow. The diaphysis is the main shaft of a long bone, responsible for the bone's ability to withstand forces and provide structural support.