NEWS Health News Word of the Week: Contusion By Verywell Health Editors Updated on September 30, 2021 Fact checked by Nick Blackmer Fact checked by Nick Blackmer Verywell Health's LinkedIn Nick Blackmer is a librarian, fact-checker, and researcher with more than 20 years’ experience in consumer-oriented health and wellness content. Learn about our editorial process Share Tweet Email Print Alex Dos Diaz / Verywell Each week, Verywell explains a term from health, medicine, science, or technology. How to say it: Contusion (con-TWO-schin) What it means: A tissue injury, like a bruise. Where it comes from: Latin, contusio, meaning “to pound.” Markus Spiske/Unsplash Where you might see or hear it: You might hear the term “contusion” used to describe an injury that was sustained during an attack or crime. Doctors use the term to note that a bodily tissue has been injured, but that there is no open wound in the skin. The word contusion is sometimes used to describe a type of brain injury; a “brain bruise” is different from a concussion. When you might want to use it: If you get an injury that did not break the skin, but it is bleeding beneath the skin and leaves a mark or bruise, you likely have a contusion. The tissue has been hurt, but there is no open wound. Hematoma vs. Bruise Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Merriam-Webster. Contusion. Updated September 28, 2021. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit