What term describes a break in the continuity of bone?

What term describes a break in the continuity of bone?

• A. Fracture
• B. Osteoporosis
• C. Osteomyelitis
• D. Arthritis

Answer: (A)

A break in the continuity of bone is called a fracture. That term specifically describes any disruption to the bone’s structure, whether it’s a crack or a complete break, and it can occur with the skin intact (closed fracture) or with the bone protruding through the skin (open fracture). Other terms describe different conditions: osteoporosis involves loss of bone density making bones fragile, osteomyelitis is an infection of bone, and arthritis is inflammation of a joint. Fracture healing proceeds through stages—formation of a hematoma, development of a callus, ossification, and remodeling back to normal bone.

A break in the continuity of bone is called a fracture. That term specifically describes any disruption to the bone’s structure, whether it’s a crack or a complete break, and it can occur with the skin intact (closed fracture) or with the bone protruding through the skin (open fracture). Other terms describe different conditions: osteoporosis involves loss of bone density making bones fragile, osteomyelitis is an infection of bone, and arthritis is inflammation of a joint. Fracture healing proceeds through stages—formation of a hematoma, development of a callus, ossification, and remodeling back to normal bone.