short bone
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A short bone is a bone that is approximately equal in length, width, and thickness. This cuboidal shape provides stability and support, with only limited movement. Short bones are primarily found in the wrists and ankles.
Usage
The term "short bone" is a specific anatomical classification. It is used in medical, biological, and anatomical contexts to describe bones based on their shape and function. * The carpal bones in the wrist are classic examples of short bones. * In anatomy class, we learned to distinguish a short bone from a long or flat bone by its proportions.
Examples
- The talus, one of the tarsal bones in the ankle, is a short bone that helps distribute body weight.
- A radiologist noted that the fracture involved one of the short bones of the hand.
- Their shape allows short bones to provide strength and absorb shock in complex joints.
Advanced Usage
- Functional Role: While "short bone" primarily describes shape, it implies a functional role in facilitating complex, gliding movements and weight distribution in areas like the hands and feet.
Variants and Related Words
- Cuboidal Bone: A less common synonym emphasizing the cube-like shape.
- Carpals: The specific group of short bones in the wrist.
- Tarsals: The specific group of short bones in the ankle.
Synonyms
- Cuboidal bone
Antonyms
- Long bone (e.g., femur, humerus)
- Flat bone (e.g., scapula, sternum)
- Irregular bone (e.g., vertebrae, pelvic bones)
Noun
- a bone that is of approximately equal dimension in all directions