Wound

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"wounds" redirects here. For the music band, see Wounds (band).

Wound Classification & external resources
ICD-10	T14.0-T14.1
MeSH	D014947

Superficial bullet wounds

In medicine, a wound is a type of physical trauma where in the skin is torn, cut or punctured (an open wound), or where blunt force trauma causes a contusion (a closed wound). In pathology, it specifically refers to a sharp injury which damages the dermis of the skin.

Contents 1 Types of wounds 1.1 Open 1.2 Closed 2 Healing 2.1 Infection 3 Cultural history 4 External links 5 References

Types of wounds

Wound, sewed with four stitches

A laceration to the leg

An abrasion

Open

Open wounds can be classified into a number of different types, according to the object that caused the wound. The types of open wound are:

• Incisions or incised wounds - caused by a clean, sharp-edged object such as a knife, a razor or a glass splinter. Incisions which involve only the epidermis are legally classified as cuts, rather than wounds.
• Lacerations - Irregular wounds caused by a blunt impact to soft tissue which lies over hard tissue (e.g. laceration of the skin covering the skull) or tearing of skin and other tissues such as caused by childbirth. Lacerations may show bridging, as connective tissue or blood vessels are flattened against the underlying hard surface. Commonly misused in reference to injury with sharp objects, which would not display bridging (connective tissue and blood vessels are severed).
• Abrasions (grazes) - a superficial wound in which the topmost layer of the skin (the epidermis) is scraped off. Often caused by a sliding fall onto a rough surface.
• Puncture wounds - caused by an object puncturing the skin, such as a nail or needle.
• Penetration wounds - caused by an object such as a knife entering the body.
• Gunshot wounds - caused by a bullet or similar projectile driving into or through the body. There may be two wounds, one at the site of entry and one at the site of exit, such is generally known as a through-and-through.

In a medical context, all stab wounds and gunshot wounds are considered major wounds.

Closed

Closed wounds have fewer categories, but are just as dangerous as open wounds. The types of closed wounds are:

• Contusions - (more commonly known as a bruise) - caused by blunt force trauma that damages tissue under the skin
• Hematoma - (also called a blood tumor) - caused by damage to a blood vessel that in turn causes blood to collect under the skin
• Crushing Injuries - caused by a great or extreme amount of force applied over a long period of time.

Healing

To heal a wound, the body undertakes a series of actions collectively known as the wound healing process.

Infection

Bacterial infection of wound can impede the healing process and lead to life threatening complications. Scientists at Sheffield University have identified a way of using light to rapidly detect the presence of bacteria. They are developing a portable kit in which specially designed molecules emit a light signal when bound to bacteria. Current laboratory-based detection of bacteria can take hours or even days.Light to detect wound infection (web). UK scientists have identified a way of using light to rapidly detect the presence of bacteria.. BBC News (11 March 2007). Retrieved on December 13, 2007.

Cultural history

From the Classical Period to the Medieval Period, the body and the soul were believed to be intimately connected, based on several theories put forth by the philosopher Plato. Wounds on the body were believed to correlate with wounds to the soul and vice versa. Thus, a man who was wounded physically in a serious way was said to be hindered not only physically but spiritually as well. Wounds were seen as an outward sign of an inward illness. If a person\'s soul was wounded, that wound may also eventually become physically manifest, revealing the true state of their soul.Reichardt, Paul F. "Gawain and the Image of the Wound." PMLA. (Mar 1984) 99.2 pp. 154-161. Wounds were also seen as writing on the "tablet" of the body. Wounds got in war, for example, told the story of a soldier in a form which all could see and understand, the wounds of a martyr told the story of their faith, etc.

External links

Look up Wound in
Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Wounds

• WOUNDS, online open-access journal featuring articles about wound care and related research.

• Ostomy Wound Management, online open-access journal featuring articles about wound care, ostomy care, incontinence care and nutrition

• Journal of Burns and Wounds, online open-access journal featuring articles about wound care and related research

References

v • d • e Injuries, other than fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains (S00-T14, 850-929)
Head (head injury) and neck	Black eye - Traumatic brain injury (Concussion, Diffuse axonal injury, Cerebral contusion, Epidural hematoma, Subdural hematoma, Subarachnoid hemorrhage)
Thorax (chest trauma)	Traumatic aortic rupture - Pneumothorax - Hemothorax - Hemopneumothorax - Cardiac tamponade
Abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine and pelvis	Ruptured spleen
Shoulder and upper arm	Rotator cuff tear
General	Spinal cord injury - Brachial plexus lesion Abrasion - Blister - Bruise - Hematoma Wound - Bite

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