long bone

noun

: any of the elongated bones supporting a vertebrate limb and consisting of an essentially cylindrical shaft that contains bone marrow and ends in enlarged heads for articulation with other bones compare diaphysis, epiphysis

Examples of long bone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The fossil specimen included a partial skull, four vertebrae from the mid-back, one long bone and two of the pterodactyloid's teeth—remains that exhibit several characteristics that indicate the creature is a pterodactyloid. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

The humerus is the long bone in the upper arm that extends from your shoulder to your elbow joint. —Maggie Aime, Msn, Health, 6 Dec. 2024

The same is true in modern primates, where 21% to 36% of chimpanzees, 20% of gorillas, and 61% of orangutans have suffered non-fatal falls with a resultant long bone fracture, usually of the forearm. —Carly Miller, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024

Osteosarcoma is a type of cancer that starts in the cells that form bones and most commonly occurs in the long bones of the body, such as the arms and legs. —Sarah Hudgens, Health, 15 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

long bone

noun

: one of the bones supporting a limb of a vertebrate and consisting of a long nearly cylinder-shaped shaft that contains bone marrow and has enlarged ends

Medical Definition

long bone

noun

: any of the elongated bones supporting a vertebrate limb and consisting of an essentially cylindrical shaft that contains bone marrow and ends in enlarged heads for articulation with other bones