Final answer:
The term for small red spots that appear on the skin as a result of a tightly tied tourniquet is Petechiae, which are caused by the rupture of capillaries under the skin due to increased pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Petechiae are small red or purple spots on the skin that result from blood leaking out of damaged vessels. When a tourniquet is applied too tightly, it can cause damage to the capillaries beneath the skin, leading to the formation of these spots.
This phenomenon includes that petechiae occur when small blood vessels (capillaries) break and the blood leaks into the skin. A tightly tied tourniquet increases pressure in the capillaries beneath it, which may cause them to rupture. Unlike larger bruises or a hematoma, which are caused by more significant trauma, petechiae are usually pinpoint-sized and may look like a rash. They are not caused by external bleeding but are instead a result of internal bleeding into the skin. Vasculitis, for instance, can lead to petechiae because it involves inflammation and damage to the blood vessels.