In a compression fracture, what happens to the fractured area of bone?

In a compression fracture, the fractured area of bone indeed collapses on itself. This type of fracture commonly occurs in the vertebrae, where the bone is subjected to excessive pressure or load. Instead of breaking apart into distinct pieces or shattering, the bone gets compressed, leading to a loss of height in the affected vertebra. This can create a wedge-shaped deformity, and the structural integrity of the bone is compromised.

While some of the other concepts mentioned in the choices describe different forms or consequences of fractures, they do not accurately represent the specific mechanism of a compression fracture. For instance, in a scenario where the ends of the bone are driven into each other, it conveys more of a scenario typical of a different type of fracture – an impact or impaction fracture, which is not the precise definition of a compression fracture.