What is defined as an injury to the tissues under the skin that causes blood vessels to rupture?

A contusion is characterized by an injury to the tissues beneath the skin that leads to the rupture of blood vessels, resulting in bleeding and swelling in the affected area. This injury is commonly caused by blunt force trauma, where the skin remains intact but the underlying blood vessels sustain damage. As a result, blood leaks into the surrounding tissues, causing discoloration and tenderness, typically taking the form of a bruise.

In contrast, a sprain refers to an injury to a ligament, which involves the stretching or tearing of the connective tissues that stabilize joints. A fracture denotes a break in a bone, which is a different type of injury that does not typically involve soft tissue damage in the same way as a contusion. A hematoma is a localized collection of blood outside of blood vessels, often resulting from a contusion; however, it describes the condition that arises from such injuries rather than the injury itself. Therefore, a contusion is the most accurate term to describe the injury of underlying tissues and ruptured blood vessels.