What term describes bluish discoloration around the eyes?

The term that describes bluish discoloration around the eyes is ecchymosis. This condition typically results from bleeding underneath the skin due to trauma or injury, which causes the blood to pool in the surrounding tissues. As the blood decomposes, it changes color, leading to the characteristic bluish hue often observed in areas like the periorbital region (around the eyes).

Ecchymosis differs from bruising in that it often indicates a larger area of bleeding and can be used to describe discoloration that isn't strictly limited to trauma. Furthermore, hematomas refer to localized collections of blood outside of blood vessels, typically more raised and encapsulated than ecchymosis. Hyperemia involves increased blood flow to an area, leading to redness rather than the bluish discoloration typically seen with ecchymosis. Understanding this distinction is important for identifying various forms of tissue injury and their corresponding visual signs.