What is a contusion?

A contusion is best defined as an accumulation of blood in the tissues, which occurs as a result of blood vessels being damaged due to blunt force trauma. When there is impact, such as from a fall or a strike, the small capillaries can break, leading to bleeding under the skin. This pooling of blood manifests as discoloration, tenderness, and swelling in the affected area, commonly referred to as a bruise.

While it’s important to understand that genuine bruising is the result of the tissue's reaction to the impact, the essence of a contusion is the underlying bleeding rather than just the visible effects, which can sometimes lead to confusion in terminology with other types of injuries. Thus, the focus on the accumulation of blood in the tissues aligns directly with the nature of a contusion. Understanding this can aid in assessing injuries more accurately in various scenarios, including crime scene investigations and medical evaluations.