What does a sprain involve?

A sprain specifically involves the stretching or tearing of ligaments, which are the tough, elastic bands of connective tissue that connect bones to other bones at a joint. When a joint is twisted or turned in an awkward way, the ligaments can be overstretched or torn, resulting in pain, swelling, and limited mobility in the affected area. It is important to understand that sprains occur in the context of joint stability, as ligaments play a critical role in maintaining that stability during movement.

The other options describe different types of injuries: breaking of bones refers to fractures, which involve the skeletal system; bruising of tissues indicates contusions, which involve soft tissues but not specifically ligaments; and injury to muscle fibers pertains to strains, which affect muscles and tendons rather than the ligaments associated with sprains. Thus, the correct definition of a sprain focuses solely on ligament involvement.