Which of the following best describes short bones?

Short bones are best described as those that have a roughly equal length, width, and thickness, providing a unique structural role in the body. They are primarily found in the wrists and ankles, where their shape allows them to support weight and facilitate movements without taking on large amounts of stress from bending or twisting. This design allows short bones to provide stability while enabling limited mobility, making them essential for maintaining proper function in the joints where they are located.

The other options do not accurately capture the characteristics and functions of short bones. For example, rib-like structures typically refer to flat bones, which have a different role in protecting organs and providing broad surfaces for muscle attachment. A description emphasizing an extensive range of motion aligns more with long bones, which serve as levers in various movements. While attachment points for muscles are crucial, this function is more associated with certain features of long and flat bones that provide sites for muscle and ligament connections. Thus, the role of short bones is more specifically oriented towards supportive stability and limited mobility.

By understanding these distinctions, it's clear that option C accurately represents the functional characteristics of short bones in the context of human anatomy.