Types of Bone Fractures

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions of various types of bone fractures.

Partial fracture

A break that doesn't go through the bone completely

Complete fracture

A break that goes completely through the bone

Open fracture

A fracture in which the bone goes through the skin and can be seen through the outside

Closed fracture

A fracture that does not break the skin; also known as a simple fracture

Non-displaced fracture

A break in which the two broken ends of the bone are still lined up and have not moved out of place

Displaced fracture

A break in which the two broken ends of the bone are NOT lined up and are moved out of place (need to be set)

Transverse fracture

Breaks that occur in a straight line across the bone

Oblique fracture

A break that occurs at a diagonal angle across the bone

Greenstick fracture

Occurs in children; a partial fracture that causes the bone to bend

Impacted fracture

The broken ends of the bones are jammed together by the force of the injury

Comminuted fracture

Intense trauma causes the bone to be broken into at least 3 pieces with many fragments at the fracture site

Segmental fracture

The same bone is broken in 2 places, causing a "floating" segment of bone between the two breaks

Partial Fracture

A break that doesn't go through the bone completely

Complete Fracture

A break that goes completely through the bone

Open Fracture

A fracture in which the bone goes through the skin and can be seen through the outside

Closed Fracture

A fracture that does not break the skin; also known as a simple fracture

Non-displaced Fracture

A break in which the two broken ends of the bone are still lined up and have not moved out of place

Displaced Fracture

A break in which the two broken ends of the bone are NOT lined up and are moved out of place (need to be set)

Transverse Fracture

Breaks that occur in a straight line across the bone

Oblique Fracture

A break that occurs at a diagonal angle across the bone

Greenstick Fracture

Occurs in children; a partial fracture that causes the bone to bend

Impacted Fracture

The broken ends of the bones are jammed together by the force of the injury

Comminuted Fracture

Intense trauma causes the bone to be broken into at least 3 pieces with many fragments at the fracture site

Segmental Fracture

The same bone is broken in 2 places, causing a "floating" segment of bone between the two breaks