The bones of the wrist are classified as short bones.
Short bones are typically as wide as they are long, providing stability and support while allowing for some movement. In the wrist, the eight carpal bones—made up of the scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform, trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate—illustrate this classification. Unlike long bones, which are longer than they are wide, short bones play a crucial role in the complex movements of the wrist and hand.