Fracture Types and Medical Imaging

Vocabulary flashcards covering bone fracture classifications, specific fracture types, and medical imaging modalities.

Open / Compound Fracture

A fracture in which the bone breaks through the skin.

Closed / Simple Fracture

A fracture in which the bone doesn't break through the skin.

Complete Fracture

A fracture in which the bone breaks all the way across.

Incomplete Fracture

A fracture in which the bone doesn't break all the way through.

Comminuted Fracture

A fracture where the bone is broken, splintered, and fragmented into many pieces; common in elderly people who have brittle bones.

Impacted Fracture

A fracture where broken bone ends are forced back into each other, usually after a fall.

Compression Fracture

A fracture where the bone is crushed; common in people with brittle bones, and most commonly seen in vertebral fractures.

Depression Fracture

A fracture where the broken bone portion is pressed inward; typical in skull fractures.

Spiral Fracture

A ragged break due to excessive twisting; common in sports injuries.

Greenstick Fracture

A fracture where the bone breaks incompletely; common in children because their bones are stronger and more flexible.

Stress Fracture

Small cracks in a bone or severe bruising; common in those who run a lot because of repetitive motion.

Oblique Fracture

A fracture where the bone breaks at an angle (diagonally).

Transverse Fracture

A fracture where the bone breaks straight across, perpendicular to the length of the bone.

X-Ray

A non-invasive way to see images of bones and other dense structures. May involve swallowing barium sulfate to get the organ to be more visible.

CAT / CT Scan

Essentially a rotating x-ray machine that takes sequential x-ray pictures of your body as it spins around. Very fast (can be done in less than 5 minutes); bones appear white and air appears black.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

An imaging technique that utilizes hydrogen atoms in your body and magnets. Since hydrogen is present in most soft tissues, it is good for looking at torn tendons and ligaments. Bones appear black and organs appear white.