microcrack

noun

mi·​cro·​crack -ˈkrak How to pronounce microcrack (audio)
: a small or minute fracture in a material (such as bone) : microfracture sense 1
Fatigue damage in bone occurs in the form of microcracks. … The process of microcrack accumulation in bone may eventually lead to stress fractures. These fractures occur commonly in athletes and soldiers engaged in high intensity, repetitive activities such as marching or running and happen when microcracks accumulate at a rate that exceeds the capacity for bone repair.Fergal J. O'Brien et al., Journal of Orthopaedic Research

Dictionary Entries Near microcrack

Cite this Entry

“Microcrack.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/microcrack. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!