The term "black and blue mark" describes a bruise, but there are many other synonyms for this term. Some common ones include contusion, ecchymosis, hematoma, and discoloration. A contusion refers to a bruise caused by a blow to the body that damages blood vessels and leads to blood leaking into the surrounding tissue. An ecchymosis is a type of bruise that appears as a purple or red patch on the skin. A hematoma is a larger bruise that occurs when blood collects in a localized area. Lastly, discoloration refers to any change in the skin color that is not related to pigmentation.