How come a bruise can subside? Sometimes you can have a bruise on your upper leg, which can be found on your lower leg a week later.
Answer
Barbara,
a bruise is actually an outpouring of blood, usually in the subcutaneous tissue. This blood will spread according to gravity, gradually changing color as the body’s own defense cells “digest” the blood. So there is absolutely nothing wrong with seeing the bruise “shift”. For example, large bruises that develop in the groin (for example after a medical examination in which an artery is punctured) can be seen in the foot after days or weeks. If, on the other hand, you stay in your bed, the bruise will shift to the back of your leg instead of to the foot (again due to gravity).
Answered by
Prof. dr. Dr Paul Dendale
Cardiovascular diseases (specialization prevention and rehabilitation) Physiology and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system
Agoralaan University Campus Building D BE-3590 Diepenbeek
http://www.uhasselt.be/
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