What is the definition of Laceration?

• A. The hypostasis or pooling of the blood following death that causes a purplish-red discoloration of the skin
• B. The young of any insect which goes through metamorphosis
• C. A mildly poisonous brown gas often found in smog and automobile exhaust fumes
• D. A tear in tissue caused by sliding or crushing force

Answer: (D)

A laceration is a tear in tissue caused by sliding or crushing force. This means it results from blunt trauma rather than a sharp instrument, so the wound edges are typically irregular and the tissue may be torn or bridged rather than cleanly incised. This distinguishes it from incised wounds, which come from sharp tools and have neat, straight margins. The other options describe a postmortem skin discoloration, insect larvae, or a pollutant gas, none of which define a wound type.