What type of injury does a hematoma represent?

A hematoma is defined as an accumulation of blood that collects outside of blood vessels, typically beneath the skin and within surrounding tissues. This occurs when blood vessels rupture due to injury, leading to localized swelling and discoloration as the blood pools in the affected area. The presence of a hematoma signifies that there has been some level of injury, such as a bruise, though it can be more pronounced than a typical bruise depending on the severity of the trauma and the volume of blood collected.

This understanding clarifies the nature of a hematoma and underscores why the correct answer identifies it as an accumulation of blood under the skin, making it distinct from other injury types such as tears of the skin, joint dislocations, or bone fractures, which have different anatomical and physiological implications.