Just a curious question:
When you punch someone in the eye hard enough, you give them a 'black eye' which is actually purple...so why is it called a black eye?
-MC
Well actually, it may be shades of black, blue, purple red and greenish, depending on the amount of bruising.
OK but the name only states black, and mostly it's purple. Why is that?
-MC
The term "black eye" is used to describe the discoloration and swelling that occurs around the eye after a forceful impact. Although it is often referred to as a black eye, the actual color may vary from person to person and can range from dark purple to blue-black. The name likely originated from the initial bruising that appears around the eye, which can sometimes have a dark, blackish appearance in the early stages.
Now, if you're interested in understanding why the area around the eye turns purple after a punch, it's helpful to know a bit about bruising. When a punch or any other forceful impact occurs, blood vessels near the surface of the skin can rupture, leading to internal bleeding and the pooling of blood in the area. The blood contains a pigment called hemoglobin, which is red. However, as the blood breaks down and the body begins to clear the damaged blood cells, the color changes. Specifically, the breakdown of hemoglobin leads to the formation of other pigments, such as biliverdin and bilirubin, which are initially greenish but eventually turn yellow and then brown. This change in pigmentation is why the bruise may appear purple or black in the early stages.