Final answer:
A broken bone that pierces the skin is referred to as a compound fracture. Fractures can be referred to as transverse, oblique, spiral, comminuted, impacted, and greenstick fractures depending on their type. Fractures can heal naturally, even if the bone is left in a deformed position.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a broken bone pierces the skin, the fracture is considered to be a compound fracture. There are various types of fractures that can be classified according to their complexity, location, and features. Fractures may include transverse, oblique, spiral, comminuted, impacted, greenstick, and closed (or simple) fractures. In a compound fracture, at least one end of the broken bone tears through the skin, which carries a high risk of infection.
A fracture can heal naturally even without the intervention of a physician. If the bone is not reset correctly, it will still heal, but the healed bone will likely be in a deformed position. The healing of fractures usually begins with the formation of a hematoma, followed by the creation of internal and external calli, which are essentially the body's 'bandages' of the bone. This is replaced eventually by new bone created by osteoblasts, and the old, dead bone is reabsorbed by osteoclasts.
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