Stages of a Contusion (Bruise)

Can you tell me why you get the different color changes of a bruise?

Contusions

    • Due to blunt force trauma.
    • Characterized by extravasation of blood into the soft tissues.
    • May reproduce the pattern of the object striking the skin.
    • Typically have unbroken skin.
    • Can only occur in a living person because there is a lack of circulation postmortum.
    • When small we call them petechiae and eccyhmosis if larger.
    • If palpable we call it a hematoma.

Note: Time Frame is quite variable and not very reliable but the sequence of color changes and what they represent is testable!

Source:  https://www.ncjrs.gov/html/ojjdp/portable_guides/abuse/bruises.html

 

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Category: Pathology Mnemonics

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