A fracture is a break in the bone or cartilage. It usually is a result of trauma . It can, however, be a result of disease of the bone , such as osteoporosis, or an abnormal formation of the bone in rare congenital (from time of birth) diseases , such as osteogenesis imperfecta. Fractures are classified by their character and location . Examples of classification include "spiral fracture of the femur," "greenstick fracture of the radius," "impacted fracture of the humerus," "linear fracture of the ulna," "oblique fracture of the metatarsal," "compression fracture of the vertebrae," and "depressed fracture of the skull." A "comminuted fracture" is a fracture in which bone is broken into a number of pieces. (This should be distinguished from the "compound fracture" as described below).
Fractures are also named by the trauma event that caused the bone breakage. Examples include "boxer's fracture" of the metacarpal bone of the hand, "blowout fracture" of the bones behind the eye, and "stress fracture" of the bones of tibia." Some fractures are also named by conditions associated with the bone breakage. For example, a "compound fracture" is a fracture in which there is an associated open wound of the skin which leads directly to the broken bone.