What type of fracture is characterized by the bone piercing the skin?

The type of fracture characterized by the bone piercing the skin is known as an open (or compound) fracture. In this type of fracture, there is a break in the bone that results in one or more ends of the bone breaking through the skin, creating an open wound. This not only exposes the fracture site to the external environment, increasing the risk of infection, but it also often involves more significant damage to surrounding soft tissues, muscles, and possibly blood vessels.

Understanding that an open fracture allows for the penetration of the bone through the skin is crucial for proper treatment. It differentiates it clearly from other types of fractures, such as a closed fracture, where the skin remains intact, and the fracture remains within the body, which minimizes external contamination and infection risk.