What type of injuries are described by abrasion?

The term "abrasion" specifically refers to a type of injury characterized by the removal of the outer layer of skin due to friction. This commonly occurs when the skin rubs against a rough surface, resulting in scraping that may or may not draw blood, depending on the severity.

Antemortem injuries, which occur before death, fit this definition well, as abrasions happen when there is an active application of force to the skin, such as during an accident or fall. This differentiation is important as it highlights the context in which the injury occurs, emphasizing that it happened while the individual was alive and engaged in an activity where skin contact with a surface caused friction.

Fractures are fundamentally different, as they involve breaks in the bone structure rather than damage to the skin. Injuries from temperature exposure, such as burns or frostbite, do not align with the description of abrasions either, since they result from thermal energy rather than mechanical friction. Similarly, wounds caused by sharp objects describe lacerations or incised wounds, which involve cuts rather than the scraping effect of abrasions.

Thus, the identification of antemortem injuries from friction leading to skin removal accurately defines abrading injuries, making it the correct response.