Question

a break in a bone that is already weakened by some other disease is called a(n) ________ fracture.

a greenstick
b open
c closed
d pathologic
e displaced

Explanation:

Analyze the question stem

The question asks for the term that describes a bone break occurring in a bone already weakened by another disease.

Evaluate the options based on skeletal pathology

• Greenstick: An incomplete fracture where one side of the bone breaks and the other side bends, common in children.
• Open: A fracture where the broken bone ends break through the skin.
• Closed: A fracture where the skin remains intact over the broken bone.
• Pathologic: A fracture caused by a disease that weakens the bone structure (such as osteoporosis, cancer, or osteomyelitis) so that it breaks under normal stress. This aligns with Skeletal Anatomy principles regarding bone pathology.
• Displaced: A fracture where the bone snaps into two or more parts and moves out of alignment.

Select the correct term

A break in a bone weakened by disease is defined as a pathologic fracture.

Answer:

• (A) greenstick
• (B) open
• (C) closed
• (D) pathologic (Correct answer)
• (E) displaced