What type of injury occurs when skin is torn away?

A degloving injury occurs when skin is torn away from the underlying tissue, often resulting in significant damage to both the skin and the structures beneath it. This type of injury is particularly severe because it can involve the complete removal of skin from a body part, leading to exposure of deeper tissues, nerves, and blood vessels. Degloving injuries are usually associated with traumatic events, such as serious accidents or crush injuries, where the skin is forcefully separated from its underlying structures.

In contrast, a puncture wound refers to a small, deep hole made by a sharp object and does not typically involve tearing away skin. A laceration is characterized by a cut or tear in the skin but does not necessarily involve the complete removal of skin like in a degloving injury. An abrasion is a superficial injury where only the outer layer of skin is rubbed or scraped away, without any tearing. Therefore, degloving injuries represent a more extensive and severe situation compared to the other types of injuries listed.