What medical term refers to a bruise caused by ruptured blood vessels?

The term that refers to a bruise caused by ruptured blood vessels is "contusion." A contusion occurs when small blood vessels under the skin break due to trauma, allowing blood to seep into the surrounding tissues. This accumulation of blood results in the characteristic discoloration of the skin that we recognize as a bruise.

Understanding a contusion involves recognizing that it is often the result of direct impact, leading to swelling and inflammation at the site, which may last for days to weeks as the body reabsorbs the blood.

While "hematoma" also involves a collection of blood outside of blood vessels, it generally refers to a larger accumulation that can form a mass or lump, distinguishing it from a simple bruise. "Ecchymosis" describes the discoloration that occurs as a result of bleeding into the skin, which is often a superficial form of contusion; however, it is not specifically the term for the injury type itself. Lastly, a "scar" refers to the fibrous tissue that replaces normal skin after injury or surgery, rather than indicating any bruising or blood vessel rupture.