American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) Orthopedic Practice Test

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What is the medical term for infection involving all or part of a bone?

Sequestrum
Osteomyelitis
Osteoarthritis
Osteosarcoma

The correct answer is: Osteomyelitis

The correct term for an infection involving all or part of a bone is osteomyelitis. This condition typically arises when bacteria or fungi invade the bone tissue, leading to inflammation and sometimes the destruction of bone. It can occur after an injury or surgical procedure or may arise from the bloodstream in the case of systemic infections. In understanding osteomyelitis, it's also important to differentiate it from other terms. A sequestrum refers to a piece of dead bone that has become separated from healthy bone tissue, often as a result of osteomyelitis but does not itself define the infection. Osteoarthritis refers to the degeneration of joint cartilage and underlying bone, primarily due to wear and tear, and does not involve an infection. Osteosarcoma is a type of malignant bone tumor and is unrelated to infection processes in bone.