Classification of Bone Fractures

Question 1

A type of fracture that occurs when an open wound extends to the site of the fracture or when a fragment of bone protrudes through the skin.

Answer 1

Open fracture (formerly called compound fracture)

Question 2

A type of fracture in which the skin is not perforated.

Answer 2

Closed fracture (formerly called simple fracture)

Question 3

A type of fracture where the soft tissues around a closed fracture are damaged.

Answer 3

Complicated fracture

Question 4

This type of fracture does not extend completely across the bone.

Answer 4

Incomplete fracture

Question 5

A type of fracture where the bone is broken into at least 2 fragments

Answer 5

Complete fracture

Question 6

It is an incomplete fracture on the convex side of the curve of the bone.

Answer 6

Greenstick fracture

Question 7

It is an incomplete fracture in which the two sections of bone do not separate.

Answer 7

Hairline fracture (common in the skull)

Question 8

A complete fracture in which the bone breaks into more than two pieces-usually two major fragments and a smaller fragment.

Answer 8

Comminuted fracture

Question 9

A fracture where one fragment is driven into the spongy portion of the other fragment.

Answer 9

Impacted fracture

Question 10

This fracture runs parallel to the length of the bone

Answer 10

Linear fracture

Question 11

This type of fracture is at a right angle to the length of the bone.

Answer 11

Transverse fracture

Question 12

These fractures take a helical course around the bone

Answer 12

Spiral fractures

Question 13

These fractures run obliquely in relation to the length of the bone.

Answer 13

Oblique fractures

Question 14

These fractures have rough, toothed, broken ends

Answer 14

Dentate fractures

Question 15

These fractures have breakage lines radiating from a central point.

Answer 15

Stellate fractures