What manifests as a bruise from damaged small blood vessels beneath the skin?

The manifestation of a bruise resulting from damaged small blood vessels beneath the skin is known as ecchymosis. This term specifically refers to the discoloration of the skin that occurs when blood leaks out from the blood vessels into the surrounding tissue due to trauma or injury. As the blood accumulates under the skin, it can create a visible mark that may change colors as it heals, typically shifting from red or purple to blue and eventually to greenish or yellow hues.

In contrast, mottling describes a patchy or splotchy appearance of the skin, often associated with vascular insufficiency or poor circulation, rather than a localized bruise. Cyanosis is characterized by a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to insufficient oxygen saturation in the blood, often seen in conditions affecting breathing or circulation. A hematoma involves a larger accumulation of blood that forms a swelling, often deeper in the tissue, and can be more substantial than the typical bruise that ecchymosis represents. Thus, ecchymosis is the term that accurately captures the situation described in the question regarding small blood vessel damage leading to a bruise.