What term describes physical injury caused by external force or violence?

The term that describes physical injury caused by external force or violence is trauma. Trauma encompasses a broad range of injuries that result from various forms of external stressors, such as accidents, falls, or assaults. It is a significant concept in both medical and mortuary sciences, as understanding the nature and mechanisms of trauma is crucial for proper diagnosis, treatment, and documentation of injuries.

In the context of the other choices, injury is a general term that could refer to any harm or damage to the body, not necessarily specifying that it was caused by external force or violence. Dislocation specifically refers to the displacement of a bone from its joint, which is a specific type of trauma but does not encompass all forms of physical injury. Similarly, a contusion is a specific type of injury, commonly known as a bruise, typically resulting from a blunt force impact that causes bleeding under the skin. Therefore, while dislocation and contusion describe particular injuries, trauma is the broader term that appropriately captures the essence of physical injury caused by external violence or forces.