HESI Entrance Practice Exam 2025 - Complete Prep Guide

A contusion, commonly known as a bruise, primarily affects connective tissue. When a contusion occurs, it is due to impact that causes blood vessels to rupture under the skin, leading to bleeding in the surrounding connective tissue. This type of tissue includes tendons, ligaments, and the fascia that connect and support various structures in the body.

Connective tissue plays a crucial role in supporting and anchoring organs and tissues, making it the primary tissue affected in a contusion. The impact can disrupt the integrity of the tissues, allowing blood to accumulate and create the characteristic discoloration associated with bruising.

In contrast, while muscle tissue can also be affected if a contusion occurs over or near a muscle, the fundamental impact and damage involve the underlying connective tissue. Epithelial tissue covers surfaces and organs, and nervous tissue is involved in signal transmission, neither of which is directly responsible for the bruising mechanism. Therefore, the effect of contusions is primarily recognized within the realm of connective tissue.