Ecchymosis

Ecchymosis. If the capillaries of the skin be damaged by bruising or in certain forms of disease [Purpura], an extravasation of blood occurs, which if limited in extent is called an ecchymosis (from two Greek words, ek, out, and chymos, juice). If the escape of blood be so considerable as to give rise to pronounced swelling the condition is spoken of as heematoma.