Definition

The act of forcibly tearing away or separating a part of the body or land, often due to trauma, surgery, or natural events like floods.

Example

The doctor explained that the injury was an avulsion of the finger, requiring immediate attention.

Conversation

Did you hear about the guy who suffered an avulsion during the game?

Yeah, that's so scary! I can't believe how dangerous sports can be.

Right? It makes you think about safety gear more seriously.

Absolutely, we should always be careful to avoid any serious injuries.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Avulsion is formed from "a-" (meaning away) and "vulsio" (from "vulsus", meaning to pull or tear). The term describes the act of pulling or tearing away, particularly in a medical context where tissue is forcibly detached from its normal position.

Memory Tip

Think of something being 'pulled away' ('a-') and 'torn' ('vulsio') from its place — that's what avulsion means.

Visually Confused Words