The ethmoid and sphenoid bones are categorized as which type of bones?

The ethmoid and sphenoid bones are classified as cranial bones because they are part of the skull that specifically encases and protects the brain. Cranial bones are distinct from facial bones, which primarily form the structure of the face. The ethmoid bone contributes to the orbits of the eyes and the nasal cavity, while the sphenoid bone is a key structural component of the skull that connects various parts of the cranial base.

Each of these bones plays essential roles in both protection and structural support, distinguishing them from long bones, which are typically longer than they are wide and found in the limbs, and sesamoid bones, which are small bones embedded within tendons. The classification of the ethmoid and sphenoid as cranial bones highlights their importance in neuroanatomy and craniofacial structure.