BONES

PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE MEDICINE

BONES

A.       Bones

Some common English names for bones:

English name	Anatomical name
skull	cranium
jaw bone	mandible
spine	vertebral column
breastbone	sternum
rib	costa
collarbone	clavicle
shoulder blade	scapula
thigh bone	femur
kneecap	patella
shinbone	tibia

B.        Fractures

A fracture is a break in a bone. Some of the different types of fracture:

 

A pathological fracture is a fracture in a diseased bone. A fatigue or stress fracture is due to repeated minor trauma, for example long-distance marching or running.

C.       Treatment of fractures.

When the fragments of a broken bone heal and join together, they unite, Union may be promoted, or helped, by reducing the fracture – replacing the fragments in their anatomical position if they are displaced. After reduction, excessive movement of the broken bone is prevented by fixation – either external, for example a splint or plaster of Paris cast, or internal, for example a pin or a plate and screws. A displaced fracture which is not reduced may result in malunion – incomplete or incorrect union.

Note: The verb reduce has several meanings in medicine:

1	to make smaller – I think we’d better reduce the dose of your tablets.
2	(in surgery) to return to anatomical position – A hernia can normally be reduced by manipulation.
3	(in chemistry) to remove oxygen or add hydrogen – Nitric acid is a reducing agent.

EXERCISES

16.1	Label the diagram using words from the box. Look at A opposite to help you. breastbone collarbone jaw bone kneecap rib shinbone shoulder blade skull spine thigh bone
16.2	Match the types of fracture (1-5) with the descriptions (a-e). look at B opposite to help you 1 open a There is a break in the skin. 2 comminuted b The bone is bent. It occurs mainly in children. 3 displaced c The bone is broken into several pieces. 4 greenstick d The broken pieces are separated. 5 impacted e The broken pieces are pushed together.
16.3	Complete the textbook extract. Look at C opposite to help you. (1) ______________ a fracture involves trying to return the bones to as near their original position as possible. If a fracture is allowed to heal in a displaced position the fracture will (2) ______________ but it may go on to (3) ______________.

Over to you

You have diagnosed a stress fracture on the tibia in a young female dancer. How would you explain to her the cause and management of this condition?

ANSWER KEY