A cerebral contusion is characterized by which of the following?

• A. Laceration to brain tissue.
• B. No tissue damage.
• C. Injury to brain tissue.
• D. No loss of consciousness.

Answer: (C)

A cerebral contusion is a bruise inside the brain, meaning there is damage to brain tissue from the impact. It involves injury to the brain parenchyma and is often accompanied by small bleeds and swelling. This distinguishes it from a laceration, which would imply a tearing or cutting of brain tissue, and from “no tissue damage,” which contradicts the idea of a bruise. The presence or absence of loss of consciousness isn’t the defining feature of a contusion—LOC can occur with a contusion, but it isn’t required. So the best description is that a cerebral contusion is an injury to brain tissue.