UWF4 Fractured Rib

Fractures are usually the result of strong abnormal forces being applied to a bone which results in that bone breaking. In antemortem fractures, a callus (hard tissue formed at the site of the fracture) is present. Complete healing of a bone may sometimes erase any signs of fracture. Perimortem or postmortem fractures will not have a callus as the bones can no longer heal. In this example, the rib has been fractured in two places where it has healed completely. Two calluses are present on the anterior half of the rib where each fracture took place.