What is the characteristic feature of a depressed fracture?

A depressed fracture is characterized by a bone fragment being pushed inward, which results in a displacement of that fragment beyond the normal surface of the bone. This type of fracture commonly occurs in flat bones, such as the skull, where a blunt force creates a dent or depression in the bone rather than cracking it completely.

In contrast, the other options describe different types of fractures or features that do not specifically relate to the nature of a depressed fracture. For example, while a fracture line extending through soft tissue may occur in various types of fractures, it does not specifically define a depressed fracture. Similarly, a fracture that results in multiple pieces of bone pertains more to a comminuted fracture, where the bone breaks into several fragments. Lastly, the description of bone being broken yet remaining in alignment is indicative of a non-displaced fracture, which differs from the characteristic inward displacement seen in depressed fractures. Each of these distinctions highlights why a displaced bone fragment beyond the normal surface is the defining characteristic of a depressed fracture.