Vermont Medical Death Investigator Practice Test

A compound fracture, also known as an open fracture, is defined primarily by the fact that the broken bone has penetrated through the skin. This characteristic is significant because it not only indicates the severity of the injury but also increases the risk of infection, as the open wound exposes the internal parts of the body to external elements.

The presence of an open wound is critical in differentiating compound fractures from other types of fractures, such as simple fractures (or closed fractures), where the bone may be broken but does not break the skin. Similarly, while a bone can be completely broken or partially broken in different types of fractures, the defining factor of a compound fracture is specifically its interaction with the skin, rather than the completeness of the break itself.

In summary, the defining characteristic of a compound fracture is that the fracture penetrates through the skin, which is crucial both for diagnosis and treatment considerations.