compression fracture

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Word: Compression Fracture

Definition: A "compression fracture" is a type of bone injury where the bone collapses or is crushed, often happening in short bones like the vertebrae in the spine. This can occur due to a fall, injury, or conditions that weaken the bones, such as osteoporosis.

Usage Instructions:

• Type: Noun
• Context: Medical or health-related discussions, especially when talking about injuries or bone health.

Example:

• "After the fall, the doctor discovered she had a compression fracture in her lower back."

Advanced Usage:

In medical contexts, you might hear about "pathological compression fractures," which occur due to diseases that weaken bones.

Word Variants:

• Compression (noun): The act of pressing something together.
• Fracture (noun): A break in a bone.
• Compress (verb): To press something into a smaller space or to reduce its size.

Different Meanings:

• Compression: In general use, it can also refer to the act of squeezing or reducing size in various contexts, such as data compression in technology.
• Fracture: Can refer to any break in a material, not just bones, such as a fracture in a piece of glass.

Synonyms:

• Bone crush
• Collapsed vertebra
• Spinal fracture

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While "compression fracture" does not have idioms or phrasal verbs directly associated with it, you might encounter phrases like: - "To break down" (to become weaker or damaged). - "To take a toll" (to have a negative effect on someone’s health).

Summary:

A compression fracture is a specific type of bone injury where the bone collapses, commonly seen in short bones like the vertebrae, and it often requires medical evaluation and treatment.

Academic

Noun

1. fracture in which the bone collapses (especially in short bones such as vertebrae)