principals of trauma

Question 1

transverse

Answer 1

90 degrees or right angle to the long axis of the bone

Question 2

oblique

Answer 2

fracture line greater than 90 degrees or at a slant to the long axis

Question 3

spiral

Answer 3

twisting of the bone leaving a long fracture line and spike

Question 4

comminuted

Answer 4

multi fragmentary: three or more fragments and more than one fracture line

Question 5

segmental

Answer 5

bone is broken at two levels leaving a segment - no contact between main fragments after reduction

Question 6

avulsion

Answer 6

a tendon or ligament attached to the bone - the tendon or ligament stretches and breaks off a piece of the bone it is attached to

Question 7

impacted

Answer 7

broken ends of the bone are driven together by the force of the injury which shortens the bone

Question 8

butterfly / wedge

Answer 8

two main fracture fragments may or may not be in contact with the other, fracture forms a wedge shape

Question 9

greenstick

Answer 9

in children - only one cortex is broken and the other side bends

Question 10

torus

Answer 10

“buckle” paedriatric injury, one side of the bone buckles upon itself disrupting the other side and the cortex remains in tact