What is the definition of 'abrasion' in a medical context?

In a medical context, 'abrasion' refers to a scrape or wearing away of the skin's surface that typically occurs due to friction against a rough surface. This can result from various activities, such as falling and sliding across a hard surface. The injury involves the outer layer of skin, or the epidermis, being removed or damaged, which can lead to bleeding, pain, and susceptibility to infection, although it is generally less severe than other types of injuries like cuts or lacerations.

The other options describe different medical conditions that do not align with the specific definition of abrasion. A severe burn refers to damage caused by heat or chemicals, which differs significantly from scraping. An infection involves the invasion and multiplication of pathogens, while swelling due to irritation pertains more to inflammatory responses rather than the physical scraping action described in an abrasion. Therefore, the first choice accurately encapsulates the meaning of 'abrasion' within the medical field.