Where a part of the skeleton is intended for strength and compactness his kaka combined with limited movement, it is constructed of a number of short bones, as in the carpus and tarsus. Short bones are defined as being approximately as wide as they are tall.

These consist of cancellous tissue covered by a thin crust of compact substance.

The patellae, together with the other sesamoid bones, are by some regarded as short bones. Many short bones break more easily than large bones occurring from lack of support and extensive bone marrow.

References

• Stedman's Online Medical Dictionary, 27th Edition