Which type of tissue injury is most likely associated with shearing stress?

Shearing stress occurs when parallel forces are applied in opposite directions, leading to damage at the interface of tissues. This type of stress is particularly effective at causing injuries that result in separation of the tissue layers, making blisters and abrasions the most likely injuries associated with shearing forces.

Blisters develop when layers of skin are pushed against one another, causing friction and resulting in the formation of a pocket of fluid. Abrasions, similarly, occur when the outer layer of skin is scraped off due to such forces. Both conditions are common to activities that involve sliding or rubbing motions against surfaces, which emphasizes the nature of shearing stress.

In contrast, contusions primarily involve a blunt force impact that crushes the tissue, fractures are breaks in the bone caused by compressive or tensile forces rather than shearing, and muscle strains typically result from excessive stretching or tearing of muscle fibers under tensile stress.