What Is a Long Bone Cross Section?

A cross section of bones provides a view of their outer and inner layers and composition. It serves as a diagnostic tool and benefits academic studies. The bones in your arms and legs are not the only ones classified as long bones.

Cross Section of Outer and Inner Layers of Long Bones

• According to TeachPE.com, a cross section of long bones reveals the outer covering of connective tissue or periosteum, a layer of compact bone, which provides strength, and located in the ends of long bones or the epiphyses, is porous, spongy bone. The hollow center of long bones, known as the Medullary Cavity, contains yellow and red bone marrow.

Classification of Long Bones

• Long bones include the humerus and radius in your arms and the femur and tibia in your legs. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, short bones receiving the long bone classification include the phalanges---finger bones. Additional long bones include the metatarsals and phalanges in the feet, and the clavicle or collarbone. Any bone with a tubular shaft and an articular surface at each end qualifies as a long bone. Examples of articular surfaces include your hip and knee joints.

Structure of Long Bones

• According to TeachPE.com, long bones consist of the shaft or diaphysis, the epiphyses, which are the rounded ends of bones also known as the articular surfaces. The structure of long bones also include the metaphysis located between the diaphysis and the epiphysis and epiphyseal plates, which produce cartilage until bone growth ceases between 18 to 25 years of age.