What term is used to describe a fracture involving multiple bone fragments?

The term used to describe a fracture involving multiple bone fragments is "comminuted." In a comminuted fracture, the bone is shattered into three or more pieces, which often complicates the healing process due to the fragmented nature of the injury. This type of fracture typically results from high-impact trauma and requires careful medical intervention to ensure proper alignment and healing of the fractured bones.

In contrast, other fracture types involve different characteristics: a displaced fracture refers to a bone that has moved out of its normal alignment but may not necessarily be shattered into multiple pieces. An avulsed fracture occurs when a fragment of bone is pulled away by a tendon or ligament, and a simple fracture is characterized by the bone being broken in a single line without any significant displacement or fragmentation. Understanding these distinctions is essential in the field of orthopedic medicine and trauma management.