Bruising

Basics

Description

  • Bruises are the result of extravasation of blood into the skin. Conventional usage often groups petechiae and bruises (or ecchymoses) together as purpura and defines them as follows:
    • Petechiae: flat, red, or reddish purple; 1–3 mm; nonblanching
    • Ecchymoses: larger than petechiae, local extravasation, nonpulsatile, sometimes palpable, color depends on age of lesion

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