Medical Glossary
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Below are some terms, common and uncommon, that one might use while working in the medical field.
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- Amputation - The removal by surgery of a limb or other body part because of injury or disease. When done properly, it is the removal of part or all of a body part that is enclosed by skin.
Amputation can also occur at an accident site, the scene of an attack, or on a battlefield. When performing an amputation, surgeons generally cut above the diseased or injured area, so that a portion of healthy tissue remains to cushion bone.
Sometimes the location of a surgical cut may depend in part on its suitability to be fitted with an artificial limb, or prosthesis.
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- Fracture - any break in a bone.
- Basics:
- Closed Fracture: A break in the bone does not break the skin. This is also called a "simple" fracture.
- Open / Compound Fracture: A break in which the bone pierces through the skin, and can be seen. It can also be a deep wound that exposes the bone through the skin.
- Partial Fracture: An incomplete break of the bone.
- Complete Fracture: A complete break of the bone, causing it to be separated into two or more pieces.
- Stable Fracture: When the broken ends of the bone line up, and have not moved out of place.
- Advanced:
- Avulsion Fracture
When a fragment is pulled off the bone by a tendon or ligament.
These types of bone fractures are more common in children than adults. Sometimes a child’s ligaments can pull hard enough to cause a growth plate to fracture. - Comminuted Fracture
The bone is broken into 3 or more pieces. There are also bone fragments present at the fracture site.
These types of bone fractures occur when there is a high-impact trauma. - Compression Fracture
When bones are crushed; The broken bone will be wider and flatter in appearance than it was before the injury.
Most often occur in the spine, and can cause vertebrae to collapse. - Displaced Fracture
When there is a gap between the broken ends of the bone. Repairing a displaced fracture may require surgery. - Greenstick Fracture
A partial fracture that occurs mostly in children. The bone bends and breaks, but does not separate into two separate pieces.
Children are most likely to experience this type of fracture because their bones are softer and more flexible. - Impacted Fracture
When the broken ends of the bone are driven together. The pieces are jammed together by the force of the injury that caused the fracture. - Oblique Fracture
When the break is diagonal across the bone. This kind of fracture occurs most often in long bones.
May be the result of a sharp blow that comes from an angle due to a fall or other trauma. - Segmental Fracture
When the same bone is fractured in two places, leaving a “floating” segment of bone between the two breaks. These fractures usually occur in long bones such as those in the legs.
This type of bone fracture may take longer to heal or cause complications. - Spiral Fracture
Fracture that spirals around the bone. Spiral fractures occur in long bones in the body, usually in the femur, tibia, or fibula in the legs. However, they can occur in the long bones of the arms.
Spiral fractures are caused by twisting injuries sustained during sports, during a physical attack, or in an accident. - Stress / Hairline Fracture
Looks like a crack in the bone, and can be difficult to diagnose. They are often caused by repetitive motions such as running. - Transverse Fracture
Breaks that are in a straight line across the bone. This type of fracture may be caused by traumatic events, like falls or accidents.
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- Shock - A critical condition brought on by the sudden drop in blood flow through the body. When a person is in shock, his or her organs aren't getting enough blood or oxygen.
May result from trauma, heatstroke, blood loss, an allergic reaction, severe infection, poisoning, severe burns or a sudden or violent mental or emotional disturbance.
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