Fracture Terminology

Question 1

Broken bone in which there is an open wound in the skin

Answer 1

Open or compound fracture

Question 2

Broken bone in which there is no open wound in the skin

Answer 2

Closed or simple fracture

Question 3

Broken bone that is splintered or crushed into multiple pieces

Answer 3

Comminuted fracture

Question 4

Broken bone produced when the bones are pressed together

Answer 4

Compression fracture

Question 5

Broken bone in which the bone is twisted apart

Answer 5

Spiral fracture

Question 6

Broken bone that has an angular break diagonal to the long axis

Answer 6

Oblique fracture

Question 7

Broken bone that is broken at right angles to its axis or straight across the bone

Answer 7

Transverse fracture

Question 8

Bone that is broken only on one side and the other side is bent

Answer 8

Green stick or incomplete fracture

Question 9

Broken bone in which the site of the muscle, tendon, or ligament insertion is detached by a forceful pull

Answer 9

Avulsion

Question 10

Bulging deposit around the area of a bone fracture that may eventually become bone

Answer 10

Callus

Question 11

Cracking sensation that is felt and heard when broken bones move together

Answer 11

Creptation

Question 12

Bone fracture parts plate out of line

Answer 12

Displaced fracture

Question 13

Act of holding, suturing, or fastening a bone in a fixed position, usually with bandage or cast

Answer 13

Immobilization

Question 14

Attempted realignment of the bone involved in a fracture or dislocation; also know as reduction

Answer 14

Manipulation

Question 15

Broken bone in an area of bone weakened by disease

Answer 15

Pathologic fracture

Question 16

Bone that is broken at the epiphyseal line or growth plate; these fractures are further categorized as Salter- Harris I-V fractures

Answer 16

Physeal fracture

Question 17

Broken bone caused by repetitive, local stress on a bone

Answer 17

Stress fracture