What term describes injuries that occur beneath the skin or mucous membrane while keeping the skin's surface intact?

The term that describes injuries occurring beneath the skin or mucous membrane while keeping the skin's surface intact is "closed injuries." This type of injury indicates that the skin has not been broken, which helps in reducing the risk of infection and other complications that come with open injuries. Closed injuries can include contusions (bruises), sprains, and strains, where damage occurs to tissues underneath the skin, such as muscle, fat, tendon, and ligament fibers, without any external exposure.

In contrast, open injuries would refer to cases where the skin is broken, allowing exposure to the environment. Minor injuries can be a broad classification and do not specifically indicate whether the skin's integrity is intact or compromised. Acute injuries detail the timing and onset of an injury but do not specify its nature in relation to the skin’s surface. Therefore, the most precise term that accurately describes this specific scenario is closed injuries.