Final answer:
The claim that a Hiatal Hernia usually occurs early in life due to incomplete bone formation is false. A hiatal hernia can happen at any age and is not directly related to the process of bone growth and ossification that occurs from fetal development through childhood.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that a Hiatal Hernia is usually seen early in life while the bones haven't completely formed and while the growth is still occurring is false. A hiatal hernia is generally not associated with this stage of bone development but can occur at any age. In fact, they are most commonly observed in adults and are often associated with factors such as increased abdominal pressure or weakening of the diaphragm muscles.
Early in human development, the skeleton is made up of cartilage and other connective tissues, which as the fetus develops, gets replaced by hard bone through a process called ossification. This growth and development continue after birth, as seen in the structure of the newborn skull where the bones are separated by areas called fontanelles to allow for growth. Most bones at birth are not entirely cartilage; instead, cartilage remains in specific areas such as joints and the rib cage even in adulthood.
When referring to a broken bone, it is indeed the same as a bone fracture. These terms are used interchangeably to describe a break in the integrity of the bone, regardless of its severity or the way it is presented.