MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Long bones

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Long bones

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Illustrations	Definition

Illustrations

Long bones

Definition Return to top

Long bones are hard, dense bones that provide strength, structure, and mobility (such as the femur or thigh bone). A long bone has a shaft and two ends. There are also bones in the fingers that are classified as "long bones," even though they are short in length. This is due to the shape of the bones, not the actual size. Long bones contain yellow bone marrow and red bone marrow (which produces blood cells).

Update Date: 10/20/2003

Updated by: A.D.A.M. editorial.

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