Final answer:
The long bones are elongated bones such as those found in the arms and legs, and also include the bones in the fingers and toes. Short bones, like the tarsals in the ankles, are cube-like in shape. Therefore, the correct answer to which is not a long bone is C, ankles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Long bones are those that are cylindrical in shape, being significantly longer than they are wide. They include the bones found in the arms, such as the humerus, ulna, and radius, and the legs, like the femur, tibia, and fibula. Long bones also consist of the metacarpals and phalanges in the fingers, as well as the metatarsals and phalanges in the toes. The primary function of long bones is to act as levers and facilitate movement when muscles contract.
In contrast to long bones, short bones, like those found in the wrists (carpals) and ankles (tarsals), are cube-like in shape and approximately equal in length, width, and thickness. The carpals and tarsals are the only short bones in the human body and are known for providing stability, support, and allowing for some limited motion.
Given these definitions, the answer to the question is option C, ankles, because the bones in the ankles, or tarsals, are classified as short bones rather than long bones.