Spiral fracture

Spiral fracture
An x-ray image of a spiral fracture to the left humerus of a 27-year-old male. The injury was sustained during a fall.

A spiral fracture (a.k.a. torsion fracture) is a bone fracture occurring when torque is applied along the axis of a bone.[1] While torsional forces are being applied along the parallel axis of a bone, planes perpendicular to this axis are not affected. Tension is exerted upon one part of the bone, while compressive forces are exerted upon the other. When these forces have exceeded the limit tolerable by the bone, fracture occurs.[1]

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • spiral fracture — noun (medicine) A fracture of a bone caused by a sudden violent twisting movement • • • Main Entry: ↑spire …   Useful english dictionary

  • Spiral fracture — A fracture, sometimes called a torsion fracture, in which a bone has been twisted apart. A fracture is any break in the bone or cartilage. It usually is a result of trauma but can be due to an acquired disease of bone such as osteoporosis or… …   Medical dictionary

  • Fracture, spiral — A fracture, sometimes called a torsion fracture, in which a bone has been twisted apart. A fracture is any break in the bone or cartilage. It usually is a result of trauma but can be due to an acquired disease of bone such as osteoporosis or… …   Medical dictionary

  • Fracture, torsion — A fracture, also called a spiral fracture, in which a bone has been twisted apart. A fracture is any break in the bone or cartilage. It usually is a result of trauma but can be due to an acquired disease of bone such as osteoporosis or abnormal… …   Medical dictionary

  • fracture — fracturable, adj. fractural, adj. fracturer, n. /frak cheuhr/, n., v., fractured, fracturing. n. 1. the breaking of a bone, cartilage, or the like, or the resulting condition. Cf. comminuted fracture, complete fracture, compound fracture,… …   Universalium

  • Fracture, compound — A fracture in which the bone is sticking through the skin. Also called an open fracture. A fracture is a break in the bone or cartilage. It usually is a result of trauma but can be due to an acquired disease of bone such as osteoporosis or… …   Medical dictionary

  • Fracture, greenstick — A fracture in which one side of a bone is broken while the other is bent (like a green stick). A fracture is a break in the bone or cartilage. It usually is a result of trauma but can be due to an acquired disease of bone such as osteoporosis or… …   Medical dictionary

  • Fracture, open — A fracture in which the bone is sticking through the skin. Also called a compound fracture. A fracture is a break in the bone or cartilage. It usually is a result of trauma but can be due to an acquired disease of bone such as osteoporosis or… …   Medical dictionary

  • Fracture, compression — A fracture caused by compression, the act of pressing together. Compression fractures of the vertebrae are especially common in the elderly. A fracture is a break in the bone or cartilage. It usually is a result of trauma but can be due to an… …   Medical dictionary

  • Fracture, transverse — A fracture in which the break is across the bone, at a right angle to the long axis of the bone. A fracture is a break in the bone or cartilage. It usually is a result of trauma but can be due to an acquired disease of bone such as osteoporosis… …   Medical dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”