Identifying X-Rays Name(s): ________________________
HASPI Medical Anatomy & Physiology 08d
Activity Period: _________ Date: ___________
Background
Radiography
Medical radiography is the visualization and study of parts of the
body using x-rays. The terms x-ray and radiograph are
interchangeable. In 1895, German scientist Wilhelm Roentgen
accidentally discovered the ability of an x-ray pulse to pass
through the human body and create an image on a screen.
There have been many improvements since then, especially
once the lower-energy x-rays were found to be extremely
harmful to human body tissues.
Modern x-ray machines send electron beams through http://ffden-2.phys.uaf.edu/212_fall2003.web.dir/kathryn_stephan/Cool%20Hand%20Xray.jpg
the soft
tissue of the body and are blocked by denser bone and tissues.
What is left after the electron beam passes through the body is
captured on a film, or more commonly a receiver, that creates a
digital x-ray. X-rays are able to pass through the human body but are slowed down by denser
material, like the calcium in bones. X-rays are primarily used to diagnose injury or disease to bones,
joints, and internal organs.
Radiography is one of the most common diagnostic tests performed, and in 2010 more than 5 billion
radiographs were taken in the U.S. There are many different types of radiographs, or images, that
can be taken depending on the part of the body being viewed. Some of the most common examples
include:
Musculoskeletal radiographs used to diagnose fractures or dislocations
Chest radiographs used to diagnose lung diseases like pneumonia
Fluoroscopy during heart catheterization procedures
Fluoroscopy used to diagnose disorders or blockage of the GI tract
Mammograms
Dental radiographs
Dislocation & Bone Fractures
The dislocation of a joint is a common musculoskeletal trauma
diagnosed through radiography. Dislocation is the displacement
of bones at the joint, and is often caused by impact trauma to that
joint. Dislocations can often be more damaging and painful than
fractures, since damage of the joint capsule and surrounding
ligaments and tendons often take much longer to heal than bone
tissue due to lack of vascularization.
http://www.fdmadison.org/uploads/images/health/dislocation.gif
Fractures are a common occurrence and result when a physical force that is greater than the strength
of the bone is exerted. On average, everyone will experience at least two fractures in their lifetime.
Some general terms in reference to fractures are displaced, non-displaced, closed/simple, and
open/compound. A displaced fracture occurs when the bone breaks and the ends no longer line up
straight, while in a non-displaced fracture the bones still line up straight. A closed or simple fracture
stays within the skin, while an open or compound fracture breaks through the skin surface. In
addition to these terms, there are many different types of fractures that are categorized based on how
the bone actually breaks.
283
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https://www.coursehero.com/file/20532428/HASPI-Identifying-X-rays/
, Types of Fractures
The type and severity of a fracture is dependent on the strength and direction of the forces that cause
a bone to break. The following table summarizes the common types of fractures and the type of force
that could be the cause. The image below shows a visual of each fracture type.
http://askabiologist.asu.edu/sites/default/files/resources/activities/body_depot/busy_bones/bone_fractures.gif
Type of
Definition Cause
Fracture
The fracture occurs at an exact 90° Caused by a bending force that causes
Transverse
horizontal angle. the bone to snap (like snapping a carrot.)
Trapping of one bone while the other
The fracture occurs sloped down/up at
Oblique twists over it (foot caught in a rock and the
an angle or curves.
leg twists.)
Spiral The fracture spirals around the bone. Caused by twisting force.
Comminuted The fracture breaks into multiple pieces. Caused through crushing force.
A ligament or tendon pulls away from its A muscle contraction or stretch that is
Avulsion attachment on the bone, and a stronger than the force that holds the
fragment of bone breaks off with it. tendon/ligament to the bone.
The fracture occurs in the middle of a
Impacted bone when it is driven into itself and Compression of the bone from end to end.
buckles.
An incomplete bone fracture; multiple Any force that could cause any of the
Fissure or
small lines are often visible, but do not other types of fractures, but is not great
Hairline
pass through the entire bone. enough to completely break the bone.
Occurs most often in children in
The bone bends rather than breaks,
Greenstick bones that have not completely
much like a green tree branch.
ossified and still contain cartilage.
AAOS. 2012. Types of Fractures and Dislocation. American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, www.aaos.com.
WebMD. 2012. Understanding Bone Fractures—The Basics. WebMD, www.webmd.com.
284
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HASPI Medical Anatomy & Physiology 08d
Activity Period: _________ Date: ___________
Background
Radiography
Medical radiography is the visualization and study of parts of the
body using x-rays. The terms x-ray and radiograph are
interchangeable. In 1895, German scientist Wilhelm Roentgen
accidentally discovered the ability of an x-ray pulse to pass
through the human body and create an image on a screen.
There have been many improvements since then, especially
once the lower-energy x-rays were found to be extremely
harmful to human body tissues.
Modern x-ray machines send electron beams through http://ffden-2.phys.uaf.edu/212_fall2003.web.dir/kathryn_stephan/Cool%20Hand%20Xray.jpg
the soft
tissue of the body and are blocked by denser bone and tissues.
What is left after the electron beam passes through the body is
captured on a film, or more commonly a receiver, that creates a
digital x-ray. X-rays are able to pass through the human body but are slowed down by denser
material, like the calcium in bones. X-rays are primarily used to diagnose injury or disease to bones,
joints, and internal organs.
Radiography is one of the most common diagnostic tests performed, and in 2010 more than 5 billion
radiographs were taken in the U.S. There are many different types of radiographs, or images, that
can be taken depending on the part of the body being viewed. Some of the most common examples
include:
Musculoskeletal radiographs used to diagnose fractures or dislocations
Chest radiographs used to diagnose lung diseases like pneumonia
Fluoroscopy during heart catheterization procedures
Fluoroscopy used to diagnose disorders or blockage of the GI tract
Mammograms
Dental radiographs
Dislocation & Bone Fractures
The dislocation of a joint is a common musculoskeletal trauma
diagnosed through radiography. Dislocation is the displacement
of bones at the joint, and is often caused by impact trauma to that
joint. Dislocations can often be more damaging and painful than
fractures, since damage of the joint capsule and surrounding
ligaments and tendons often take much longer to heal than bone
tissue due to lack of vascularization.
http://www.fdmadison.org/uploads/images/health/dislocation.gif
Fractures are a common occurrence and result when a physical force that is greater than the strength
of the bone is exerted. On average, everyone will experience at least two fractures in their lifetime.
Some general terms in reference to fractures are displaced, non-displaced, closed/simple, and
open/compound. A displaced fracture occurs when the bone breaks and the ends no longer line up
straight, while in a non-displaced fracture the bones still line up straight. A closed or simple fracture
stays within the skin, while an open or compound fracture breaks through the skin surface. In
addition to these terms, there are many different types of fractures that are categorized based on how
the bone actually breaks.
283
This study source was downloaded by 100000836551366 from CourseHero.com on 03-02-2022 07:42:49 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/20532428/HASPI-Identifying-X-rays/
, Types of Fractures
The type and severity of a fracture is dependent on the strength and direction of the forces that cause
a bone to break. The following table summarizes the common types of fractures and the type of force
that could be the cause. The image below shows a visual of each fracture type.
http://askabiologist.asu.edu/sites/default/files/resources/activities/body_depot/busy_bones/bone_fractures.gif
Type of
Definition Cause
Fracture
The fracture occurs at an exact 90° Caused by a bending force that causes
Transverse
horizontal angle. the bone to snap (like snapping a carrot.)
Trapping of one bone while the other
The fracture occurs sloped down/up at
Oblique twists over it (foot caught in a rock and the
an angle or curves.
leg twists.)
Spiral The fracture spirals around the bone. Caused by twisting force.
Comminuted The fracture breaks into multiple pieces. Caused through crushing force.
A ligament or tendon pulls away from its A muscle contraction or stretch that is
Avulsion attachment on the bone, and a stronger than the force that holds the
fragment of bone breaks off with it. tendon/ligament to the bone.
The fracture occurs in the middle of a
Impacted bone when it is driven into itself and Compression of the bone from end to end.
buckles.
An incomplete bone fracture; multiple Any force that could cause any of the
Fissure or
small lines are often visible, but do not other types of fractures, but is not great
Hairline
pass through the entire bone. enough to completely break the bone.
Occurs most often in children in
The bone bends rather than breaks,
Greenstick bones that have not completely
much like a green tree branch.
ossified and still contain cartilage.
AAOS. 2012. Types of Fractures and Dislocation. American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, www.aaos.com.
WebMD. 2012. Understanding Bone Fractures—The Basics. WebMD, www.webmd.com.
284
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