What is the term for the discoloration of the skin associated with a contusion?

The term that describes the discoloration of the skin associated with a contusion is ecchymosis. This condition occurs when small blood vessels are damaged, usually due to trauma, causing blood to leak into the surrounding tissue. The leaked blood then leads to visible changes in skin color, often appearing as a bruise that transitions through shades of purple, blue, green, and yellow as it heals.

Ecchymosis specifically refers to larger areas of discoloration when compared to petechiae, which are tiny red or purple spots caused by bleeding under the skin. Hematopoiesis, on the other hand, refers to the process of blood cell formation and does not relate to skin discoloration. Embolism pertains to the obstruction of a blood vessel, and hypovolemia refers to a decreased volume of blood in the body, neither of which describes the visual effect of skin discoloration from a contusion. Thus, ecchymosis is the accurate term for this specific skin finding.