What type of injury is caused by rubbing or scraping the skin?

The correct answer is abrasion. An abrasion is a type of injury that occurs when the skin is rubbed or scraped against a rough surface, resulting in the top layer of skin being removed or damaged. This is commonly seen in scenarios such as road rash from falls, or when the skin comes into contact with abrasive materials. The underlying tissue may be exposed, but abrasions usually do not penetrate deeply, making them less severe than other types of injuries.

For clarity regarding the other terms: a contusion refers to a bruise caused by blunt force trauma that leads to bleeding under the skin without breaking the skin itself. An incision is typically a clean cut made by a sharp object, while an avulsion is a more severe injury where a portion of the skin is torn away completely. Each of these injuries has distinct characteristics and mechanisms of injury, emphasizing why abrasion is specifically the correct answer for an injury caused by rubbing or scraping the skin.