Which term refers to trauma resulting in broken blood vessels beneath the skin?

The term that specifically refers to trauma resulting in broken blood vessels beneath the skin is contusion. A contusion is commonly known as a bruise, where small blood vessels break due to impact, allowing blood to leak into the surrounding tissue. This leads to the characteristic discoloration and swelling that can be seen on the skin's surface.

Understanding the context of a contusion helps in differentiating it from other terms. For instance, ecchymosis also involves bleeding beneath the skin but typically refers to larger areas of discoloration and may not necessarily be due to direct trauma like a contusion. Crepitus refers to a crackling or popping sound, often associated with joint movement or other physiological processes, rather than skin trauma. Edema involves swelling caused by excess fluid accumulation in tissues, which can occur for various reasons but does not specifically result from broken blood vessels. Thus, contusion is the accurate term that describes the situation of broken blood vessels due to trauma.