Which medical term describes a small red or purple spot on the skin resulting from bleeding?

The term that accurately describes a small red or purple spot on the skin resulting from bleeding is "petechiae." These spots are typically less than 3 millimeters in diameter and appear when small blood vessels (capillaries) break, commonly due to physical stress, injury, or certain medical conditions.

Petechiae can often be seen in clusters and can be an important clinical sign for underlying health issues, such as thrombocytopenia or certain infections. The recognition of petechiae is important in the medical field for diagnosis and treatment.

While terms like "purpura," "ecchymosis," and "contusion" relate to skin bleeding as well, they describe different types of bleeding manifestations. Purpura generally refers to larger areas of bleeding under the skin that are over 3 millimeters, while ecchymosis is a larger bruise or discoloration resulting from bleeding under the skin. A contusion is a broader term for a bruise that includes any area of skin that shows bleeding due to trauma, typicallywith more tissue swelling involved. Each of these terms helps classify the severity and nature of bleeding, but petechiae specifically pertains to the tiny, pinpoint spots that are characteristic of minor bleeding.