Wounds
2
Abrasions (scratches, grazes) These are trivial wounds restricted to the outer layers of the skin (or other epithelial surface), and are caused by tangential contact with a rough surface e.g. bushes, ground, fingernails etc. They may be of great help to the pathologist by leaving a pattern characteristic of the injurious force e.g. the tread of a motor vehicle tyre; the pattern of a rope; the mark of a belt etc. Sometimes the direction taken by an object across the skin surface may be indicated by the nature of the abrasions made by it. Contusions (bruises) These are caused by blunt trauma. There is damage of the dermis and/or deeper tissues without loss of external continuity. Bleeding from ruptured small blood vessels leads to swelling and discoloration of the affected tissues, and this bleeding may continue for some time after the blow has been struck. They are relatively common injuries and develop more readily in soft, vascular tissues e.g. eyelids (black eye), rather than in tough avascular ones. They can give an idea as to the nature of an injury e.g. bruises of finger marks found on the neck in a case of throttling. As a bruise ages, the colour changes because of the alteration of the haemoglobin in the extravasated blood - red to brown to green/yellow to straw (depending on the complexion of the individual). Incisions (cuts, stabs) These are caused by sharp-edged instruments e.g. scalpels, knives, razors, which result in loss of continuity of tissues without significant tissue loss. The edges of the wound are clean-cut and regular and there is usually no adjacent abrasion or bruising. Lacerations (split wounds) These are produced by tearing or splitting of the tissues and are caused by blunt objects e.g. sticks, stones, or by dull cutting instruments. The wound edges are irregular, there is usually significant tissue loss and the margins are abraded and/or bruised. They are usually found where bone is very close beneath
-
Upload
argel-joseph-cosme -
Category
Documents
-
view
4 -
download
2
description
Leg Med
Transcript of Wounds
Abrasions (scratches, grazes)These are trivial wounds restricted to the outer layers of the skin (or other epithelial surface), and are caused by tangential contact with a rough surface e.g. bushes, ground, fingernails etc. They may be of great help to the pathologist by leaving a pattern characteristic of the injurious force e.g. the tread of a motor vehicle tyre; the pattern of a rope; the mark of a belt etc. Sometimes the direction taken by an object across the skin surface may be indicated by the nature of the abrasions made by it.
Contusions (bruises)These are caused by blunt trauma. There is damage of the dermis and/or deeper tissues without loss of external continuity. Bleeding from ruptured small blood vessels leads to swelling and discoloration of the affected tissues, and this bleeding may continue for some time after the blow has been struck. They are relatively common injuries and develop more readily in soft, vascular tissues e.g. eyelids (black eye), rather than in tough avascular ones. They can give an idea as to the nature of an injury e.g. bruises of finger marks found on the neck in a case of throttling. As a bruise ages, the colour changes because of the alteration of the haemoglobin in the extravasated blood - red to brown to green/yellow to straw (depending on the complexion of the individual).
Incisions (cuts, stabs)These are caused by sharp-edged instruments e.g. scalpels, knives, razors, which result in loss of continuity of tissues without significant tissue loss. The edges of the wound are clean-cut and regular and there is usually no adjacent abrasion or bruising.
Lacerations (split wounds)These are produced by tearing or splitting of the tissues and are caused by blunt objects e.g. sticks, stones, or by dull cutting instruments. The wound edges are irregular, there is usually significant tissue loss and the margins are abraded and/or bruised. They are usually found where bone is very close beneath overlying skin e.g. eyebrows and scalp. They may be associated with internal injuries and/or fractures.
