HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

Which term describes an incision made specifically to the bone?

1. Osteotomy

2. Reduction

3. Manipulation

4. Extraction

The correct answer is: Osteotomy

The term that describes an incision made specifically to the bone is osteotomy. An osteotomy is a surgical procedure where the bone is cut to allow for the realignment or reshaping of that bone. This process is commonly performed to correct bone deformities, relieve pressure, or fix misalignment. It plays a crucial role in orthopedic and dental surgery when addressing issues in the jaw or other areas where bone structure is involved. In contrast, reduction refers to the realignment of fractured bones, manipulation often involves the manual adjustment of bone or tissue without incisions, and extraction pertains to the removal of teeth or other structures, rather than making an incision in bone. Each of these terms describes different surgical approaches or processes, highlighting how osteotomy is specifically focused on cutting into bone for corrective procedures.