American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

What is a contusion commonly known as?

1. A scratch

2. A bruise

3. A laceration

4. A fracture

The correct answer is: A bruise

A contusion is commonly known as a bruise. This term arises from the fact that a contusion occurs when small blood vessels under the skin rupture due to trauma, leading to localized bleeding. This bleeding causes the characteristic discoloration associated with a bruise, which can range in color from red or purple to yellow as it heals. In contrast, a scratch refers to a superficial wound caused by abrasion, a laceration denotes a deeper cut or tear in the skin, and a fracture specifically indicates a break in a bone. Understanding these distinctions is important in both medical and forensic contexts, where accurate terminology is crucial for documentation and diagnosis.