What is a wound that involves an injury to the soft tissues?

When considering a wound that involves an injury to the soft tissues, an open wound is the correct choice. Open wounds are characterized by a break in the skin or mucous membrane, which exposes the underlying soft tissues to the environment. This type of wound can lead to the risk of infection due to the exposure of these tissues, and it may involve various forms of trauma such as cuts, scrapes, or punctures.

In contrast, a closed wound does not break the skin, which means the soft tissues beneath remain protected. Although it can still involve injury to the soft tissues, the distinguishing factor is that there is no open break, making it less susceptible to external contaminants. Abrasions and lacerations are types of open wounds but are more specific; abrasions typically involve the outer layer of skin being scraped off, whereas lacerations refer to deeper cuts that may involve various layers of skin and tissue. Hence, while both abrasions and lacerations indicate injuries to soft tissues, the broader category that encompasses such injuries, particularly with the skin broken, is indeed an open wound.