What is the term for when a ligament is torn away from bone?

The term for when a ligament is torn away from bone is a sprain. A sprain involves the stretching or tearing of ligaments, which are the fibrous tissues that connect bones at a joint. When the injury is significant enough, the ligament may separate completely from the bone, classifying it more specifically as a severe sprain.

The other terms refer to different types of injuries. A tear generally refers to any kind of rupture in soft tissue, but it is not specific to ligaments or their attachment to bones. A strain involves injury to muscles or tendons, which connect muscles to bones, rather than ligaments. A fracture denotes a break in a bone, which is a separate type of injury entirely. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in the context of anatomy and injury management.