comminuted fracture

comminuted fracture
    n 1: fracture in which the bone is splintered or crushed
    

Fracture \Frac"ture\ (?; 135), n. [L. fractura, fr. frangere,
   fractum, to break: cf. F. fracture. See {Fraction}.]
   1. The act of breaking or snapping asunder; rupture; breach.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Surg.) The breaking of a bone.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Min.) The texture of a freshly broken surface; as, a
      compact fracture; an even, hackly, or conchoidal fracture.
      [1913 Webster]

   {Comminuted fracture} (Surg.), a fracture in which the bone
      is broken into several parts.

   {Complicated fracture} (Surg.), a fracture of the bone
      combined with the lesion of some artery, nervous trunk, or
      joint.

   {Compound fracture} (Surg.), a fracture in which there is an
      open wound from the surface down to the fracture.

   {Simple fracture} (Surg.), a fracture in which the bone only
      is ruptured. It does not communicate with the surface by
      an open wound.

   Syn: {Fracture}, {Rupture}.

   Usage: These words denote different kinds of breaking,
          according to the objects to which they are applied.
          Fracture is applied to hard substances; as, the
          fracture of a bone. Rupture is oftener applied to soft
          substances; as, the rupture of a blood vessel. It is
          also used figuratively. "To be an enemy and once to
          have been a friend, does it not embitter the rupture?"
          --South.
          [1913 Webster]
    

Comminute \Com"mi*nute\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Comminuted}; p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Comminuting}.] [L. comminutus, p. p. of
   comminuere to comminute; com- + minuere to lessen. See
   {Minute}.]
   To reduce to minute particles, or to a fine powder; to
   pulverize; to triturate; to grind; as, to comminute chalk or
   bones; to comminute food with the teeth. --Pennant.
   [1913 Webster]

   {Comminuted fracture}. See under {Fracture}.
      [1913 Webster]