Final answer:
A fracture that has three or more pieces with the ends not touching is known as a comminuted fracture, which often needs surgical treatment for correct healing.
Step-by-step explanation:
A fracture with three or more fragments with proximal and distal fragments not touching is defined as a comminuted fracture. This type of fracture involves several breaks resulting in many small pieces between two large segments. In a comminuted fracture, the bone has broken into a number of pieces, often requiring significant surgical intervention, such as open reduction and internal fixation, to ensure proper healing and bone alignment.