Gross Anatomy L10

reduction

restoration of a fractured or dislocated element to it’s correct alignment

simple

bone is broken but skin remains intact

compound

bone is visible

displaced

the pieces of bone are no longer properly aligned

transverse

single, complete fracture across the bone

spiral

fracture wraps around the bone, result of twisting

comminuted

bone broken in 3 or more places, often shattered like a broken plate

segmental

bone broken in at least 2 places such that there’s a floating piece of bone

avulsion

ligament or tendon pulls piece of bone off

stress (hairline)

result of overuse or repeated intense strain, can begin as small cracks before growing to complete fracture

incomplete

present in children whose bones have not completely ossified (more malleable). two types are greenstick and buckle

xray

high energy radiation that passes through the body to create images; density of a tissue determines it’s ability to absorb xrays, which in turn affects the intensity on film; denser tissues (bone) appear white. creates 2D image of musculoskeletal system, foreign objects, dental, lungs, abdominal. contrast agents can be ingested or injected

computed tomography (CT)

xray tube passes cyclically around a patient creating series of axial images that are then compiled into a final image or a 3D representation, density indicated by brightness, used for tumors, infections, inflammation, vascular issues, traumatic organ injuries, fractures, kidney stones

nuclear medicine

inverse xray, measures distribution or concentration of radioactive substances in the body, can inform on function of an organ in addition to the anatomy, includes PET, used for oncology, internal bleeding, brain, bone, gallbladder, heart, kidney, lung, thyroid disease

positron emitting tomography (PET)

measures dynamics of physiological function in real time

ultrasound

high frequency sound waves echo off tissue to produce real time images, inverse relationship between resolution and depth (low frequency: deeper penetration = worse resolution, high frequency: less penetration = higher resolution). doppler can determine flow, direction and velocity within a vessel, can be used for gallbladder, renal, vascular, lung, heart, reproductive organs, foreign body in skin, and ocular

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

strong magnetic fields and radio wave pulses are used to form images, no metal, implanted metal devices may not be eligible for scan, provide better contrast of soft tissues, weighting where alterations can be made to radio wave pulses to get different image contrasts, used for soft tissue injuries, spinal injuries, brain, nerve, osteomyelitis