What results from applying a shear force to the skin surface?

Applying a shear force to the skin surface leads to an abrasion, which is characterized by the scraping away of the outer layers of the skin. Shear forces occur when two surfaces move in opposite directions, causing the skin to be rubbed against a rough surface. This mechanical action can damage the skin, typically resulting in a superficial wound where the top layers of skin are removed, but deeper structures remain intact. Abrasions are commonly seen in scenarios such as falls or when a person slides along a surface.

Other types of injuries, like fractures, are related to bone damage and are not directly caused by shear forces applied to the skin. Burns typically result from thermal, chemical, or electrical sources rather than mechanical forces, while incisions are clean cuts often made by sharp objects rather than by the frictional forces that cause abrasions. This context highlights why abrasion is the correct answer in relation to shear forces applied to the skin.