Orthopedic Fracture

Bones may be completely or partially broken (also known as fractures). While they are rigid, bones can flex or bend when hit by an outside force. However, if that force is too great, they will break. The type of fracture depends on the amount of force. Some common types of fractures include:

Stable fracture. The broken ends of the bone line up and are barely out of place.
Open, compound fracture. The skin may be pierced by the bone or by a blow that breaks the skin at the time of the fracture. The bone may or may not be visible in the wound.
Transverse fracture. This type of fracture has a horizontal fracture line.
Oblique fracture. This type of fracture has an angled pattern.
Comminuted fracture. In this type of fracture, the bone shatters into three or more pieces.

Some information retrieved from www.orthoinfo.com.