How do short bones compare in size to long bones?

The terms “long” and “short” are not descriptive of the length of the bones. Short bones have approximately the same dimensions in length, width, and thickness, but they may have an irregular shape. Short bones are almost completely covered with articular surfaces, where one bone moves against another in a joint. The only short bones in the body are the carpal bones in the wrists and tarsal bones in the ankle.