What type of external injury do ecchymosis and contusions fall under?

Ecchymosis and contusions are both types of bruising that occur when blood vessels are damaged and leak blood into the surrounding tissues, usually as a result of trauma. This results in discoloration of the skin, typically appearing as a dark blue, purple, or yellow spot.

Contusions are characterized specifically by localized swelling, pain, and tenderness and are often used interchangeably with the term ecchymosis. Since the question is asking about external injuries specifically related to bruising, contusions perfectly encapsulate this description.

Other options such as fractures, lacerations, and wounds refer to different types of injuries. Fractures indicate broken bones, lacerations are cuts that break the skin, and wounds refer to injuries that can include a variety of damage to the body's tissues but do not specifically address the bruising nature of ecchymosis and contusions. Thus, focusing on the term "contusions" highlights the specific context of the bruising associated with ecchymosis.