What is a contusion commonly known as?

• A. Fracture
• B. Sprain
• C. Bruise
• D. Cut

Answer: (C)

A contusion is commonly known as a bruise. This occurs when small blood vessels under the skin break due to trauma, leading to bleeding into the surrounding tissue. As the blood accumulates, it creates that distinctive discoloration we recognize as a bruise, often ranging in color from purple or blue to yellow as it heals.

Understanding that a contusion refers specifically to this type of injury helps clarify how it differs from other terms like fracture, sprain, and cut. A fracture is a break in a bone, not related to soft tissue injury. A sprain entails the stretching or tearing of ligaments, which connect bones together at joints, and is characterized by swelling and pain in joint areas. A cut, or laceration, involves a separation of skin or tissue due to a sharp object, which is distinctly different from the internal injury represented by a contusion. Therefore, a contusion is accurately defined as a bruise, highlighting its nature as a soft tissue injury without skin penetration.