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Oral Surgery · single question

A patient fell and struck their chin on the floor. The image below shows injuries to the face. Which injury in the image is a LACERATION?

Image for the question
  1. The long jagged wound with irregular skin edges
  2. The broad area of roughened skin surface
  3. The dark discoloration under the skin
  4. The pinpoint bleeding spots on the skin
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. The long jagged wound with irregular skin edges

  • A. CORRECT. A laceration is a tear or cut in soft tissue that creates a wound with irregular, jagged edges and disruption of tissue continuity. In trauma from hitting a hard surface, lacerations are full-thickness wounds that may extend through skin layers.
  • B. A broad area of roughened skin surface describes an abrasion — a superficial wound where the outer skin layer is scraped away by friction without full skin penetration.
  • C. Dark discoloration under intact skin describes a bruise (ecchymosis/contusion) — bleeding into soft tissue beneath intact skin surface.
  • D. Pinpoint bleeding spots on intact skin describe petechiae, which are associated with vascular fragility or increased pressure, not trauma lacerations.

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