Definition of Fracture

Fracture: A break in bone or cartilage. Although usually the result of trauma, a fracture can be caused by an acquired disease of bone such as osteoporosis or by abnormal formation of bone in a disease such as osteogenesis imperfecta ("brittle bone disease"). Fractures are classified according to their character and location as, for example, a greenstick fracture of the radius.

See also: Greenstick fracture; Spiral fracture; Comminuted fracture; Transverse fracture; Compound fracture; Compression fracture.