Long bones, especially the femur and tibia, are subjected to most of the load during daily activities and they are crucial for skeletal mobility.

The longitudinal growth of long bones is a result of endochondral ossification at the epiphyseal plate.

The long bone category includes the femora, tibiae, and fibulae of the legs; the humeri, radii, and ulnae of the arms; metacarpals and metatarsals of the hands and feet, the phalanges of the fingers and toes, and the clavicles or collar bones.

The long bones of the human leg comprise nearly half of adult height.

In a disorder known as rachitis fetalis anularis the ends of the long bones (epiphyses) are enlarged.