What are black or blue marks caused by blunt force that do not break the skin known as?

The phenomenon referred to in the question involves marks that appear as a result of blunt force trauma to the skin, specifically those that do not break the skin. These marks are known as contusions. Unlike scratches, which involve a break in the surface of the skin, or hematomas, which are larger collections of blood that often form in response to injury, contusions typically manifest as discoloration (black or blue marks) due to the underlying blood vessels breaking and leaking blood into the surrounding tissues.

Superficial wounds also imply some level of skin damage, such as abrasions or lacerations, which does not apply in this context since contusions are characterized by intact skin despite the bruising effect from the impact. Thus, contusions accurately describe the bruising caused by blunt force that leaves the skin's surface unbroken.