Which injury involves skin tearing away from underlying tissues and leaving a large skin defect, often described as a degloving injury?

• A. Avulsion
• B. Degloving injury
• C. Laceration
• D. Contusion

Answer: (B)

Degloving injuries involve the skin tearing away from the underlying tissues, leaving a large skin defect. This describes the exact pattern where a flap of skin is stripped off and can be left attached by a narrow base or completely detached, creating a substantial wound. It’s a specific term for this kind of skin-and-soft-tissue separation, differentiating it from a simple cut (laceration) or a bruise (contusion). While avulsion is a broader tearing injury, degloving emphasizes the skin stripping from deeper structures and the resulting large skin defect, which is why it’s the best fit for this description.