An injury in which a body structure is forcibly detached is called what?

• A. Laceration
• B. Amputation
• C. Avulsion
• D. Fracture

Answer: (C)

This describes an avulsion, an injury where a body structure is forcibly torn away from its normal attachments. The key idea is tearing tissue off rather than just cutting or breaking something.

It differs from a laceration, which is a cut with irregular edges but not necessarily detached from its base. It differs from an amputation, where the part is completely removed; an avulsion may leave the tissue partially attached or may involve an avulsed fragment that’s separated. It also differs from a fracture, which is a break in bone rather than tearing of soft tissue.