Which type of injury is characterized by tearing of the soft tissues?

A laceration is indeed characterized by tearing of the soft tissues. This type of injury typically involves cuts or tears that can penetrate through the skin and affect underlying tissues such as fat, muscle, and other soft structures. Lacerations can be caused by sharp objects, blunt trauma, or even animal bites and are often defined by their irregular edges and depth, distinguishing them from other types of injuries.

In contrast, a sprain involves the stretching or tearing of ligaments, which are the connective tissues that join bones at a joint, but does not primarily involve soft tissue tearing in the same manner as a laceration. A fracture refers to a break in a bone, and while it can affect surrounding soft tissue, it is fundamentally a bony injury. A contusion, commonly known as a bruise, results from direct trauma to soft tissue, leading to bleeding underneath the skin, but it does not involve a tearing action. Therefore, lacerations specifically describe the tearing of the soft tissues, making it the correct answer.