Avulsion
Definition
Tearing away of tissue, leaving a flap or a gap. Avulsions convey information about the direction of force because tissue pulls away in the direction the force was applied.
- Nature
- Tissue torn away, leaving a flap or gap
- Informs
- Direction of applied force
- Context
- Wound documentation and injury description
Common questions
How does an avulsion differ from a laceration?+
A laceration is blunt-force tearing of skin or tissue in general, while an avulsion specifically separates a piece of tissue away from its surroundings, often leaving a distinct flap rather than just a split.
What does the orientation of an avulsion flap tell an investigator?+
The point where the flap stays attached versus where it tore free indicates the direction the tissue was pulled, which helps reconstruct the direction the injuring force came from.
Related terms
- Abrasion
- A wound where friction or tangential force removes the superficial layers of skin without penetrating the full thickness. Abrasions preserve the direction...
- Contusion (Bruise)
- Blunt-force trauma that ruptures small vessels beneath an intact skin surface. Blood collects in the tissue. Location, size, and shape can indicate...
- Incised Wound
- A wound produced by a sharp-edged implement. Margins are clean, without contusion or bridging. Depth is less than length in a classic...
- Laceration
- A wound torn by blunt or shearing force, characterised by ragged, contused margins and tissue bridges crossing the wound depths. The distinction...
- Patterned Injury
- A wound whose shape reflects the object that caused it, such as a bite leaving individual tooth impressions, a cord leaving parallel...