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Bone Cancer

Classification Of Bone

Flat Bones

Structure Of A Flat Bone (Compact, Spongy Diploë, and Compact)

Example One Of Flat Bones: Ribs

Structure

There are 12 pairs of ribs in the ribcage.

One end (Head) of each rib binds with the 12 thoracic vertebrae.

The other end – it connects the sternum (breast bone) by costal cartilages.

Function:

Protect the heart and lungs.

Structure of the ribcage
An alternative illustration of the ribcage

Example Two Of Flat Bone: Skull

Structure

The Cranium (skull) is made of 22 bones and subdivided into cranial bones and facial bones.

The cranium has 8 bones:

Some of the cranium bones are in pairs (x2):

Parietal

Temporal.

Some of the cranium bones are singular (x1):

Frontal

Occipital

Sphenoid

Ethmoid

 The cranium bones are further subdivided into:

Skull Calvaria: frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal.

Base: Sphenoid and ethmoid

The face bones are NOT flat; they are irregular bones.

The Cranium (lateral view)

Irregular Bones

Example One Of Irregular Bone: Spinal Vertebrae

Structure

It has 33 bones.
The vertebral column consists of 5 sections: Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx.

The body of the vertebra is called a centrum.
The centre is called the canal foramen.

Function

It protects the spinal cord and provides structural support.

Structure Of The Spine
Alternative presentation of the spine

Example Two: Facial Bones

Facial bones

The face has 14 irregular bones:

Some of the facial bones are paired (x2)

Nasal

Lacrimals

Maxillae (upper jaw)

Inferior nasal concha

Palatine (x2 of each): They are part of the uvula in the throat and the hard palate, contributing to the wall of the nasal cavity, mouth, and orbits. Each palatine bone consists of two main parts: the horizontal plate and the perpendicular plate, which form an L-shape.

Zygometric

Some are singular bones: (x1)

Vomer

Mandible (lower jaw)

Example Three Of The Irregular Bone: Pelvis (hip bones)

Structure

It consists of three structures: the pubis, the ilium, and the ischium.

Function

It protects organs in the pelvic cavity.

Support the weight of the upper body.

Support base for leg movement.

Structure of the pelvis

Long Bone

Example Of Long Bones:

Part of the Humerus (upper limb)
Overview Of The Long Bones
The fingers are the long bones. The Thumb is the sesamoid bone. The 8 carpal bones are short (Trapezoid, trapezium, capitate, scaphoid, hamate, pisiform, lunate, and triquetrum)

Sesamoid Bone

Example One Of Sesamoid Bone: Feet

Example Two of Sesamoid Bones: Thumb of the hand

Example Three of Sesamoid Bones: Kneecap/Patella

Supportive tissue and bones

Short Bones

Example One of Short Bones: The foot bones

Example Two Of Short Bones: Carpals of the Hand

Further Reading

Introduction to the skeletal systemDownload

References

Cowan, P., Launico, M. and Kahai, P. (2024) Anatomy, Bones. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537199/ (Accessed: 9th April 2026)

Cleveland Clinic (2024) Skeletal System (Musculoskeletal System). Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21048-skeletal-system (Accessed: 3rd April 2026)

Anatomy and Physiology Diploma notes

Thomas, J. and Monaghan, T. (2007) Oxford Handbook Of Clinical Examination And Practical Skills Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Visible Body (2026) The Long and the Short of It: The Five Types of Bones. Available at: https://www.visiblebody.com/learn/skeleton/types-of-bones (Accessed 4th April 2026)

Yale Team-Based Learning (n.d). Connective Tissue. Available at: https://medcell.org/tbl/histology_of_connective_tissues/reading.php (Accessed: 23rd April 2026)

Updated July 2026 Next Review July 2028

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