Injury in which skin & underlying tissue are cut or torn is called ?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is (2):
Laceration is the definitive term in sports medicine and general pathology for a wound where the skin and the underlying soft tissue are either irregularly torn or deeply cut. This type of injury is typically caused by forceful impact with a blunt object or a sharp object with jagged edges, leading to a break in the skin's continuity. The key characteristic of a laceration is its ragged, uneven margins, which distinguishes it from a clean incision and signifies a substantial tearing of tissue rather than a neat slice. Due to the depth of the tear into the subcutaneous tissue, lacerations commonly result in significant bleeding and present a high risk of infection, requiring careful cleaning, suturing (stitching), and management to promote proper healing.

The incorrect option is (1):
A Hematoma is a serious, but internal, injury involving the collection or pooling of blood outside of the blood vessels, often forming a mass under the skin. It results from severe trauma causing substantial damage to blood vessels, but the skin itself remains unbroken. Therefore, a hematoma is characterized by a lump and dark discolouration, not by a visible cut or torn opening in the skin and tissue as described in the question. It is an internal injury defined by blood collection, not an external, open wound.

The incorrect option is (3):
An Abrasion is a very superficial wound, most commonly known as a graze or scrape. It is caused by friction that only removes or tears away the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, and sometimes the very top layer of the dermis. While the skin is technically 'torn' at its surface, this injury does not extend deeply to cut or tear the *underlying* tissue. Consequently, an abrasion is considered a minor injury that usually bleeds minimally and heals quickly without scarring, unlike a laceration.

The incorrect option is (4):
A Contusion is the medical term for a common bruise, and it is classified as a closed wound. It is caused by direct impact, which crushes the underlying soft tissue and breaks tiny blood vessels (capillaries) without breaking the skin. The injury manifests as a discolouration—the familiar bruise—because the blood leaks into the surrounding tissue beneath the intact skin. Since the skin is not broken, there is no cut or tear exposing the internal tissue, which makes it conceptually distinct from an open wound like a laceration.