A contusion is a bruise: the skin stays intact while blood vessels beneath it break. An abrasion is a graze: the surface of the skin is scraped off. The dividing line is whether the skin is broken — a contusion leaves it whole, an abrasion does not.
The core difference
Two injury terms distinguished by whether the skin surface is intact.
- contusion — a bruise; blunt impact, skin unbroken, bleeding beneath it.
- abrasion — a graze; the outer skin scraped away by friction.
Related terms
A laceration is a tear or cut through the skin. An incision is a clean cut, typically surgical. A haematoma is a larger collection of pooled blood, deeper than a simple bruise.
The words
Contusion is from Latin contundere, to beat or bruise. Abrasion is from abradere, to scrape off — the same root as abrasive.
This page explains the words. It is not medical guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Is a contusion just a bruise?
Yes. Contusion is the clinical term for a bruise, where the skin remains unbroken.
What is the difference between an abrasion and a laceration?
An abrasion scrapes the surface away; a laceration tears through the skin.
What is a haematoma?
A larger collection of pooled blood, deeper and more substantial than an ordinary bruise.