What is the term for a broken bone?

The term for a broken bone is a fracture. A fracture occurs when there is a complete or partial break in the continuity of the bone. This can happen due to various factors such as trauma, repetitive forces, or underlying conditions that weaken the bone structure. Fractures can vary in severity and type, including simple fractures, where the skin is not broken, and compound fractures, which involve a break in the skin. Understanding this term is crucial in the context of law and public safety, as it relates to injury assessment and reporting in situations such as accidents or criminal cases.

Dislocation refers to the displacement of a bone from its joint, rather than a break in the bone itself. A contusion is a bruise, typically resulting from a blow to the body, which does not involve a broken bone. A sprain involves stretching or tearing of ligaments, which connect bones at a joint, and is also distinct from a fracture. Each of these conditions affects different parts of the musculoskeletal system and has different implications for treatment and recovery.