What describes a laceration?

A laceration is characterized by jagged and irregular edges, which differentiates it from other types of wounds. The nature of a laceration means that the skin and underlying tissues are torn in a way that often results in heavy bleeding. The jagged edges can complicate healing and increase the risk of infection due to the irregular nature of the wound, which may not close easily. This type of injury is common in situations where there is a sharp object involved, but the force applied causes tearing instead of a clean cut.

In contrast, clean-cut edges typically describe an incision or a type of wound less traumatic than a laceration, often leading to limited bleeding. A skin scrape signifies a different form of injury that involves the outer layer of skin and usually results in mild bleeding rather than the profuse bleeding seen in lacerations. A deep puncture wound, although it can also bleed heavily, has a distinct depth and shape, often caused by a pointed object, which is not a defining characteristic of lacerations. Therefore, the features of a laceration clearly align with the description of jagged, irregular edges and heavy bleeding.