Protecting Vital Organs and Supporting Movement: Role of Flat Bones in the Human Body

Flat bone

Thin and curved such as skull/scapula

Flat bones are a type of bone found in the human body which have a flat, smooth surface and are usually thin and curved. Examples of flat bones include the skull bones, scapulae (shoulder blades), sternum (breastbone), ribs, and some of the bones in the pelvis.

Flat bones are primarily responsible for protecting internal organs such as the brain, lungs, and heart. Additionally, they provide attachment sites for muscles, allowing for movement and stability in the body. The flat shape of these bones provides a large surface area for the attachment of muscles, enabling them to generate strong forces necessary for movement or other bodily functions.

Flat bones are different from long bones, which are tubular in shape and primarily located in the arms and legs, and short bones, which are cube-shaped and found mostly in the ankles and wrists. Understanding the different types of bones and their functions is important in fields like anatomy, physical therapy, and orthopedics.

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