long bone
Arm or leg
A long bone is a bone longer than it is wide, with a shaft and two ends—the femur, humerus, radius, and finger bones are examples.
Long bones contain marrow and serve as levers for movement.
The term is anatomical, distinguishing these from flat bones (skull, ribs) and short bones (wrist, ankle).
Upper leg bone
- tibiaMain lower leg bone
- fibulaOuter lower leg bone
- humerusUpper arm's long bone
- radiusCenter-to-perimeter distance
ulna · epiphysis · medullary cavity · periosteum · Haversian system · lamella · osteocyte · osteoblast
Shared by multiple parties
- synovialOf joint membranes
- cartilageFlexible connective body tissue
- ligamentConnective tissue between bones
- tendonMuscle-to-bone connector
hinge joint · ball-and-socket · flexion · extension · rotation · articulation · condyle · range of motion
Pivoting bar for lifting
- load-bearingSustaining structural mass
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- tensile strengthResistance to pulling force
- rigidityState of being unbending
fracture · stress · strain · fulcrum · mechanical advantage · weight distribution · shock absorption · torsion
Cartilage enabling bone elongation
- ossificationConversion to bone tissue
- chondrocyteCell producing cartilage matrix
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
- proliferationRapid increase in quantity
estrogen · testosterone · puberty · matrix · remodeling
Split in hard material
- greenstickBone bends, partly breaks
- spiral fractureBone broken by rotation
- comminutedShattered into particles
- stress fractureMicroscopic bone crack from overuse
osteomyelitis · osteosarcoma · osteoporosis · rickets · nonunion · malunion
femur
Upper leg bone
radius · ulna · epiphysis · medullary cavity · periosteum · Haversian system · lamella · osteocyte · osteoblast · collagen
joint
Shared by multiple parties
- synovialOf joint membranes
- cartilageFlexible connective body tissue
- ligamentConnective tissue between bones
tendon · hinge joint · ball-and-socket · flexion · extension · rotation · articulation · condyle · range of motion
lever
Pivoting bar for lifting
- load-bearingSustaining structural mass
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- tensile strengthResistance to pulling force
rigidity · fracture · stress · strain · fulcrum · mechanical advantage · weight distribution · shock absorption · torsion · structural integrity
growth plate
Cartilage enabling bone elongation
- ossificationConversion to bone tissue
- chondrocyteCell producing cartilage matrix
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
proliferation · estrogen · testosterone · puberty · matrix · remodeling
fracture
Split in hard material
- greenstickBone bends, partly breaks
- spiral fractureBone broken by rotation
- comminutedShattered into particles
stress fracture · osteomyelitis · osteosarcoma · osteoporosis · rickets · nonunion · malunion
- bone anatomyepiphysis, periosteum, medullary cavity, condyle, tubercle