What does the term avulsion refer to in medical terms?

Avulsion in medical terminology specifically refers to the process of separation by tearing. This term is commonly used to describe injuries where a body structure is forcibly detached or torn away from its normal anatomical position. For example, an avulsion fracture occurs when a fragment of bone is pulled away at the site of a tendon or ligament attachment. The key characteristic of avulsion is the mechanism of injury, which involves tearing rather than cutting, burning, or freezing. This distinction is crucial in understanding the nature of the injury and the appropriate treatment methods.