Which of the following best describes avulsion?

Avulsion is characterized as a wound that results from tearing or pulling away of tissue. This type of injury often involves the skin and underlying structures being forcibly separated, which can occur in various situations such as accidents, surgical procedures, or during sports injuries. Understanding avulsion as a tear highlights the mechanism through which the injury occurs, distinguishing it from other types of wounds, such as cuts or punctures.

In contrast, other options describe different types of injuries: a cut refers to a clean incision typically made by a sharp instrument; a bruise is a form of injury that results in bleeding beneath the skin due to impact; and a puncture involves a piercing injury made by a sharp object. Each of these descriptions captures distinct mechanisms of injury, underscoring the specific nature of an avulsion as a tearing process.