glossary

impacted

Definition impacted

impactedhol

impacted adj. firmly wedged. An impacted tooth (usually a wisdom tooth) is one that cannot erupt into a normal position because it is obstructed by other tissues. Impacted faeces are so hard and dry that they cannot pass through the anus without special measures being taken (see constipation). An impacted fracture is one in which the bone ends are driven into each other. -impaction n.