Which type of fracture is characterized by occurring without any evident trauma?

A spontaneous fracture is one that occurs without any significant external force or trauma applied to the bone. This type of fracture often results from an underlying condition that may weaken the bone, such as osteoporosis or other systemic diseases that affect bone density.

In contrast, traumatic fractures typically occur due to a specific impact or injury, such as a fall or a sports-related incident. A compound fracture is a specific kind of traumatic fracture where the bone breaks and pierces through the skin, leading to an increased risk of infection. While a pathological fracture is indeed caused by underlying disease, it usually occurs as a result of some triggering factor, such as minimal trauma. Thus, spontaneous fractures stand out because they arise without any identifiable trauma or injury, making them unique among fracture types.