Medical Dictionary Definitions A-Z List
Medical Dictionary Definitions A - Z - «F»:
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Fowl plague
Fowl plague: See: Avian influenza....
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Fraction, ejection
Fraction, ejection: The portion of blood that is pumped out of a filled ventricle as a result of a heartbeat.
The heart does not eject all of the blood that is in the ventricle. Normally, about two-thirds of the blood is pumped out with each beat. That fraction is referred to the ejection fraction....
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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 th...
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Fracture, basilar
Fracture, basilar: A break in bone at the base of the skull.
About a half of basilar fractures are caused by bicycle or motor vehicle accidents, about a quarter by falls, and a tenth by recreational activities, particularly by diving accidents. The balance are due to other causes. No matter what ca...
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Fracture, clay-shoveler's
Fracture, clay-shoveler's: An uncommon breakage of the spine of the vertebrae from the lower neck or upper back as a result of stress.
Clay-shoveler's fracture usually occurs in laborers who perform activities involving lifting weights rapidly with the arms extended. Examples of these activities...
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Fracture, comminuted
Fracture, comminuted: A fracture in which bone is broken, splintered or crushed into a number of pieces.
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 abnormal formation of bone in a congenital...
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Fracture, compound
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 abnormal formation of bone in a congeni...
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Fracture, compression
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 acquired disease of bone such a...
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Fracture, greenstick
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 abnormal formation of bone in a...
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Fracture, hangman's
Fracture, hangman's: See: Hangman's fracture....
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Fracture, open
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 abnormal formation of bone in a congeni...
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Fracture, Salter-Harris
Fracture, Salter-Harris: A traumatic fracture around or through the growth plate (the epiphyseal plate) of a bone in a child....
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Fracture, spiral
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 abnormal formation of bone in a congeni...
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Fracture, stress
Fracture, stress: A fracture caused by repetitive
stress, as may occur in sports, strenuous exercise, or
heavy physical labor. Stress fractures are especially common in the
metatarsal bones of foot, particularly in runners.
Osteoporosis increases the possibility of stress fractures.
Treatment ...
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Fracture, toddler's
Fracture, toddler's: A torsion fracture of the
tibia, without bone displacement....
