Abrasion is the process of wearing away or scraping off material from a surface through friction or erosion. It commonly occurs in natural environments, such as rivers or oceans, where rocks and soil are gradually worn down by the movement of water and sediment. In a medical context, abrasion refers to the injury caused by scraping or rubbing the skin, often resulting in superficial wounds. This process can lead to changes in surface texture and can impact the structural integrity of materials or tissues.