What refers to the condition where skin or tissue is partly or completely torn away?

The condition where skin or tissue is partly or completely torn away is referred to as avulsions. In medical terminology, an avulsion is a type of wound that occurs when a body structure is forcibly separated from its normal point of insertion. This can happen due to trauma, such as an accident, where the skin and sometimes underlying tissues are detached, leading to significant injury that may require surgical intervention.

While lacerations involve jagged or irregular cuts typically caused by sharp objects, avulsions are characterized by a more severe tearing away of tissue. Abrasions are superficial wounds, often described as scrapes, where the outer layer of skin is rubbed away but does not involve deeper tissue damage like that seen in avulsions. Incisions are clean cuts typically caused by surgical instruments or sharp objects, which also do not reflect the tearing nature of an avulsion. Understanding these distinctions can help in diagnosing and treating different types of wounds effectively.