What term is used to indicate the displacement of a bone at a joint?

The term that indicates the displacement of a bone at a joint is dislocation. Dislocation occurs when the bones that form a joint become separated from their normal position, leading to a complete loss of contact between the bony surfaces. This condition can cause significant pain, swelling, and loss of function in the affected joint.

Understanding this term is crucial in the field of health sciences, particularly in orthopedics and emergency medicine, as it helps in diagnosing and treating joint injuries. Dislocations typically require medical intervention to realign the bones properly and prevent long-term complications such as joint instability or arthritis.

While subluxation refers to a partial dislocation where the bone is not completely out of the joint, and a fracture involves a break in the bone itself, separation generally describes a condition involving the ligaments or soft tissues rather than the bones at the joint.