In contrast to an incision, a laceration is typically described as which of the following?

• A. Is a jagged cut
• B. Usually involves an artery
• C. Bleeds more severely
• D. Is a superficial injury

Answer: (A)

When something is torn rather than cut, the wound edges become irregular and uneven. A laceration results from blunt trauma that tears tissue, so its defining feature is a jagged, irregular margin with possible tissue bridges or contusion around the edges. In contrast, an incision is made by a sharp instrument and tends to have clean, straight edges. Bleeding severity, involvement of an artery, or superficiality aren’t defining characteristics of a laceration, since these can vary with the specific injury. So describing a laceration as a jagged cut best fits how the tissue has been torn and how the wound appears.