What term describes a broken bone or cartilage?

The term that describes a broken bone or cartilage is a fracture. A fracture specifically refers to the structural break in the continuity of a bone or cartilage, which can occur due to trauma, stress, or various health conditions. Fractures can vary in severity from hairline cracks to complete breaks and may require different forms of treatment, such as casting, splinting, or surgical intervention.

In contrast, dislocation refers to the displacement of a bone from its joint, which is a different type of injury involving joint instability rather than a break in the bone itself. A sprain involves the stretching or tearing of ligaments that support a joint, while a contusion is a bruise resulting from direct trauma to the tissues without a break in the skin. Each of these terms relates to different types of injuries, underscoring the importance of using precise terminology when describing conditions in medical settings.