Which fracture produces a straight break across the bone’s width?

• A. Transverse fracture
• B. Spiral fracture
• C. Greenstick fracture
• D. Compression fracture

Answer: (A)

A straight break across the bone’s width is described by a transverse fracture. This type occurs when the fracture line runs perpendicular to the bone’s long axis, producing a clean, straight across crack. This orientation is what sets it apart from other fracture patterns: a spiral fracture twists around the bone, creating a helical line; a greenstick fracture is an incomplete break where one side of the bone bends and only partially cracks (common in children); a compression fracture results from the bone being crushed, typically along its length, such as in vertebrae. Because the defining feature is a straight, transverse crack perpendicular to the bone’s length, this type is the best fit.