Long bones: These bones have a long and narrow shape. Long bones act as levers and muscles will pull on these bones to provide larger scale movements of the body. The bones of the arm, legs, fingers and toes are examples of long bones: The femur, tibia, fibula, humerus, radius, ulna and phalanges.

Short bones: These bones have a short and wide shape. The bones of the wrist and ankle are examples of short bones: The carpals and tarsals

Flat bones: These bones have a flat appearance. Their flatness extends a broad surface area that provides: protection for the internal organs; an extensive surface area for muscle attachment. The bones of the pelvis, shoulder girdle and breastbone are examples of flat bones: The ilium, scapula and sternum

Irregular bones: These bones have different/irregular shapes. The bones of the spine, ribs and some of the facial bones are examples of irregular bones: the cervical, lumbar and thoracic vertebrae, the mandible (jaw bone) and clavicle (collar bone)