What is another term for bruising?

• A. Contusion
• B. Hematoma
• C. Lesion
• D. Inflammation

Answer: (A)

Bruising is medically referred to as a contusion. A contusion occurs when small blood vessels beneath the skin break due to trauma, causing blood to leak into the surrounding tissue. This results in the characteristic discoloration that one associates with a bruise.

In contrast, a hematoma involves a more significant collection of blood that pools in one area, often causing swelling and a more pronounced lump compared to a simple bruise. A lesion refers to any abnormal tissue change or injury, which could encompass a wide range of conditions, including cuts or sores, but is not specific to bruising. Inflammation is the body's response to injury or infection and can occur with bruising, but it is not synonymous with the injury itself. Thus, the term contusion is the most precise and widely accepted term for what is commonly known as bruising.