Bones of the skeleton are classified as belong to either the axial skeleton or appendicular skeleton. Long Bones Composed of compact bone and spongy bone Compact bone appears to be solid while spongy bone has the appearance of a sponge. Rigidity and strength of long bones is not only due to the hardness of the compact bone but also by the scaffolding arrangement of the trabeculae which are generally parallel to lines of stress and act as pillars for stress points. Epiphysis of a long bone is at either end of a long bone. Consists chiefly of spongy bone with a thin outer layer of compact bone.
Hyaline cartilage is normal type.
Matrix is glassy-bluish white and somewhat translucent. In mature animals the cartilage has been replaced by bone and epiphyseal lines remain where the plate last existed. Diaphysis is the cylindrical shaft of a long bone between either epiphysis. Site of red blood cell production Metaphysis is the expanded or flared part of the bone at the ends of the diaphysis. The contact area of the bone that articulates with its neighboring bone at a moveable joint is covered with articular cartilage.