What type of fracture is characterized by the bone being bent but not broken completely?

A fracture characterized by the bone being bent but not completely broken is known as a greenstick fracture. This type of fracture typically occurs in children whose bones are more flexible and can bend significantly without breaking entirely, similar to how a green stick of wood behaves. In a greenstick fracture, the bone may crack on one side while the outer side remains intact, which is different from other fracture types where the bone is fully broken or shattered.

Comminuted fractures involve the bone being broken into multiple pieces, while transverse fractures feature a complete break across the bone at a right angle. Simple fractures, also known as closed fractures, refer to a complete break in the bone without any associated skin wound but do not describe bending. Thus, the defining nature of a greenstick fracture is its characteristic bending and incomplete break, making it the correct answer.