What is the medical term for a bruise?

The medical term for a bruise is indeed "contusion." A contusion occurs when small blood vessels under the skin are damaged due to trauma, causing blood to leak into the surrounding tissues. This results in the characteristic discoloration and swelling associated with bruises.

While the term "ecchymosis" refers to a similar phenomenon, it specifically describes larger areas of bruising that can occur in various locations of the body. "Hemorrhage" generally refers to bleeding, which can happen externally or internally, and is not confined to the skin’s surface like a bruise. "Lesion" is a broader term that encompasses any abnormal tissue change, which includes cuts, sores, or infections and does not specifically denote bruising. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why "contusion" is the correct term to identify a bruise directly.