The skin and underlying tissues are pierced. This injury is known as a(n)?

The correct answer is a penetrating wound, which refers to an injury in which the skin and possibly underlying tissues are pierced by an object. This type of wound typically involves a sharp object that creates an opening in the skin, leading to potential damage to underlying structures such as muscles, blood vessels, and organs, depending on the depth and location of the injury.

Understanding the characteristics of a penetrating wound is crucial in both clinical settings and emergency care. The wound may introduce foreign materials into deeper tissues, increasing the risk of infection and necessitating proper wound management and possibly surgical intervention.

In contrast, an incision is a clean cut made by a sharp object, often done intentionally during surgeries. A contusion, commonly known as a bruise, results from blunt force trauma causing blood vessels to rupture without breaking the skin. An abrasion involves the scraping away of a superficial layer of skin, resulting in damage primarily at the surface level without piercing into deeper tissues. These differences highlight why the term "penetrating wound" specifically refers to injuries that compromise the skin and underlying tissues.