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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Types of Fractures Quiz: Spot Greenstick, Spiral & More

Quick, free bone fractures quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: George RuchUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Layered paper art bone with fracture crack on coral background for bone fractures quiz

This quiz helps you identify types of fractures and spot key signs, from greenstick to spiral. Use it to practice for class, first aid training, or a quick review before lab. For more bone basics, try our compact bone quiz, or focus on common injuries with a fracture management quiz. Want to drill specific regions? Test landmarks with a hand bones quiz.

What type of fracture occurs when the bone is broken cleanly into two separate pieces?
Hairline fracture
Comminuted fracture
Complete fracture
Greenstick fracture
A complete fracture is one in which the break extends entirely through the bone, separating it into two distinct pieces. It differs from incomplete fractures, where only part of the bone structure is disrupted. Recognizing a complete fracture is critical for proper treatment planning and immobilization.
A fracture where the bone cracks but does not break into separate pieces is called what?
Hairline fracture
Greenstick fracture
Comminuted fracture
Simple fracture
A hairline fracture is a small crack in the bone that does not split it into separate pieces, often resulting from stress or mild trauma. It presents with localized pain and minimal deformity. Early rest and immobilization are important to allow the crack to heal fully.
Which symptom is least likely to be directly caused by an acute bone fracture?
Fever
Swelling around the fracture
Bruising near the break
Pain at the injury site
The classic signs of a fracture include pain, swelling, and bruising at the injury site. Fever is not a typical immediate symptom of a bone fracture and usually indicates infection or systemic illness rather than acute trauma. While complications of fractures can include infection, fever alone is not diagnostic of a fresh break.
Which imaging modality is considered first-line for diagnosing suspected bone fractures?
X-ray
CT scan
MRI
Ultrasound
Radiography (X-ray) is the first-line imaging modality for suspected fractures due to its wide availability, speed, and ability to clearly visualize bone integrity. CT and MRI are reserved for complex or occult injuries after initial X-rays. Ultrasound is not standard for adult fracture diagnosis.
In which type of fracture does the bone splinter into three or more fragments?
Transverse fracture
Comminuted fracture
Spiral fracture
Oblique fracture
In a comminuted fracture, the bone is shattered into three or more fragments, making it more complex to treat than simple one-line breaks. This type of injury often results from high-energy trauma and may require surgical intervention for proper alignment. Effective fixation is crucial to restore function and prevent complications.
What type of fracture has a diagonal break across the shaft of the bone?
Spiral fracture
Transverse fracture
Oblique fracture
Comminuted fracture
An oblique fracture is characterized by a diagonal fracture line across the bone relative to its long axis, often resulting from an angled force. It differs from transverse fractures, which run perpendicular, and spiral fractures, which twist around the bone. Correct identification guides appropriate reduction and fixation strategies.
A fracture in which one side of a pediatric bone is broken and the other side bends is known as what?
Greenstick fracture
Transverse fracture
Compression fracture
Avulsion fracture
A greenstick fracture occurs when one side of a child's bone breaks while the other side bends, due to the flexibility of immature bones. It is most common in children under ten and often results from falls. Treatment usually involves immobilization with a cast for proper healing.
Which term describes a fracture where the bone penetrates through the skin?
Stress fracture
Impacted fracture
Compound fracture
Closed fracture
A compound fracture, also known as an open fracture, occurs when the broken bone pierces the skin, creating a direct path for bacteria and raising the risk of infection. This injury demands prompt surgical intervention and antibiotics to minimize complications. Closed fractures do not break the skin barrier.
Which classification system is specifically used for pediatric fractures involving the growth plate?
Salter-Harris classification
Denis classification
AO classification
Gustilo-Anderson classification
The Salter-Harris classification system categorizes pediatric fractures involving the growth plate (physis). It helps predict potential growth disturbances and guides treatment decisions. Other systems, like Gustilo-Anderson, classify open fractures, not growth plate injuries.
Which nerve is most at risk in a midshaft humerus fracture?
Median nerve
Radial nerve
Ulnar nerve
Axillary nerve
The radial nerve runs in close proximity to the midshaft of the humerus and is most at risk when this area is fractured. Injury can lead to wrist drop and sensory loss on the back of the hand. Awareness of this anatomy is crucial for examination and management.
A fracture line that spirals around the bone shaft is characteristic of which type of fracture?
Greenstick fracture
Spiral fracture
Comminuted fracture
Transverse fracture
A spiral fracture results from a twisting force, producing a fracture line that wraps around the bone like a corkscrew. These fractures are often unstable and require precise alignment during treatment. Accurate diagnosis on imaging is essential for guiding fixation.
The Gustilo-Anderson classification system is used to grade what aspect of fractures?
Pathologic fractures
Closed fractures
Stress fractures
Open fractures
The Gustilo-Anderson classification grades open fractures based on the extent of soft tissue injury, wound size, and contamination. It guides surgical management and helps predict infection risk and healing outcomes. Closed fractures are not classified by this system.
A minimal-trauma fracture occurring in bone weakened by disease is called what?
Pathologic fracture
Avulsion fracture
Compression fracture
Stress fracture
Pathologic fractures occur in bones weakened by underlying disease, such as osteoporosis, tumors, or infection, and can happen with little or no trauma. They differ from stress fractures, which result from repetitive mechanical loading in otherwise healthy bone. Identifying the underlying pathology is crucial for appropriate treatment.
When initial X-rays are inconclusive for a suspected scaphoid fracture, which imaging modality is most sensitive for early detection?
MRI
Bone scan
Ultrasound
CT scan
MRI is the most sensitive imaging modality for detecting occult scaphoid fractures early, as it can visualize bone edema and subtle fracture lines within days of injury. While bone scans can also detect occult fractures, they require a longer post-injury interval and are less specific. Early MRI helps guide timely treatment.
Which Salter-Harris fracture type involves a break through the growth plate and the epiphysis only?
Type III
Type IV
Type I
Type II
A Salter-Harris type III fracture extends through the growth plate and the epiphysis but does not involve the metaphysis. It often jeopardizes the joint surface and requires precise anatomic reduction to minimize growth disturbances and articular incongruity. Type IV, in contrast, also involves the metaphysis.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Fracture Classifications -

    Distinguish between common fracture types such as simple, compound, comminuted, and greenstick injuries by reviewing defining characteristics featured in the bone fractures quiz.

  2. Identify Bone Break Symptoms -

    Recognize key clinical signs - like localized pain, swelling, and deformity - to accurately pinpoint fractures in our bone break symptoms quiz scenarios.

  3. Recognize Wrist Fracture Indicators -

    Spot subtle clues of wrist breaks in "is my hand broken quiz" style questions, enhancing your ability to detect common hand injuries.

  4. Analyze Fracture Patterns -

    Interpret case descriptions and images to differentiate between fracture types in our fracture identification quiz, strengthening your diagnostic skills.

  5. Apply Diagnostic Reasoning -

    Use knowledge from the broken bone trivia to make informed judgments about potential fractures and improve your overall bone break IQ.

  6. Evaluate Quiz Performance -

    Assess your results to identify strengths and areas for improvement, guiding further learning and mastery of fracture recognition.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understanding Fracture Types -

    Master the difference between transverse, oblique, spiral, comminuted and greenstick breaks to shine in your bone fractures quiz. Use the mnemonic "T-O-S-C-G" (Transverse, Oblique, Spiral, Comminuted, Greenstick) to lock each pattern in your mind. Spotting fragment shapes and angles on X-ray images will make fracture identification quiz questions a breeze.

  2. Spotting Key Symptoms -

    Memorize the S.T.O.P. mnemonic (Swelling, Tenderness, Obvious deformity, Pain) to streamline any bone break symptoms quiz. Noting rapid swelling alongside point tenderness often hints at a fresh break, while deformity and functional loss seal the diagnosis. This quick checklist turns complex patient presentations into simple yes-or-no clues.

  3. Quick Hand Fracture Clues -

    In an "is my hand broken quiz," snuffbox tenderness is your secret weapon - a telltale sign of scaphoid injury. Remember "snail-box" to recall that wrist's pain-point nestled by the thumb tendons. Pair that with limited thumb extension and you'll ace broken bone trivia on hand injuries.

  4. Open vs. Closed Classification -

    Distinguish open (compound) from closed fractures using the Gustilo system for added precision in the fracture identification quiz. Open breaks pierce the skin and risk infection, while closed breaks stay under intact tissue - vital for proper wound management. Knowing this guides both emergency care and long-term healing protocols.

  5. Imaging Essentials -

    Always order at least two X-ray views (AP and lateral) to confirm a suspected break and improve accuracy on the bone fractures quiz. Consider MRI or CT for subtle stress fractures or when plain films aren't conclusive. Understanding when to escalate to advanced imaging will boost your confidence and diagnostic precision.

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