Bones link their structure and function, much like other body parts do. Short bones are similar in length, height, and thickness and have a cube-like shape in the human skeletal system. The human skeleton comprises 206 bones, each with a specific purpose. This indicates that the shape of a bone directly affects or depends on its role within the body.
The 206 bones in our body are divided into five groups based on their shapes, which in turn influence the functions they carry out: Long Bones, Flat Bones, Short Bones, Irregular Bones, and Sesamoid Bones.
Table of Contents
Short Bones in the Human Body
Due to their small stature, short bones have no (or minimal) impact on how the body moves. Instead, these bones stabilise and support the surrounding bones and the area of the body where they are located. These bones require ongoing maintenance since they are situated in areas of the body that are linked to movement.
The length and width of short bones are similar. Short bones in the ankle and wrist joints offer support and some flexibility. They include the tarsals in the ankles (talus, calcaneus, navicular, lateral cuneiform, cuboid, medial cuneiform, and intermediate cuneiform) and the carpals in the wrist (lunate, scaphoid, triquetral, pisiform, hamate, trapezium and capitate).
Being short does not necessarily mean having more short bones in the body. Everyone has various bones in their body, regardless of height. Short people will have an equal number of short bones in their bodies as tall people do.
Functions of Short Bones
The carpus of the hand and the tarsus of the foot are often where the short bones are located. The shape of the short bones is roughly cuboidal because a thin external covering of dense bone covers a large area of spongy bone and marrow.
Short bones help with various movements and also give the ankles and wrists joints stability.
The tarsals (ankle bones), patella (kneecap), and carpals (wrist bones) are all short bones. Since the patella primarily serves as an anchor point for ligaments and tendons, some doctors classify it as a sesamoid bone. However, the patella is constant, although the development of the sesamoid bones varies from person to person.
Related Links:
Main Page:BYJU’S NEET
Comments