HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

Large bruised areas that do not blanch on diascopy are primarily referred to as?

1. Petechiae

2. Telangiectasia

3. Rubbery lesions

4. Ecchymosis

The correct answer is: Ecchymosis

The term that describes large bruised areas which do not blanch upon diascopy is ecchymosis. Ecchymosis refers to the discoloration of skin resulting from bleeding underneath, typically associated with trauma or injury. When applying pressure to an area with ecchymosis, the blood pooled in the tissues does not change color (or blanch) as the vessels remain disrupted. In contrast, petechiae are pinpoint-sized red or purple spots that can blanch, while telangiectasia refers to small dilated blood vessels near the surface of the skin that are often red or blue and can also blanch upon pressure. Rubbery lesions are not a standard term used in this context and do not specifically refer to bruising or hemorrhage. Thus, ecchymosis is the fitting term for these larger, non-blanching bruised areas.