Types of Wounds

Open Close

Open Wounds
Abrasions Incisions Lacerations Punctures Avulsions Amputations

Close Wounds
Petechiae Contusion Hematoma

Types of Wounds
Many wounds are combinations of two or more of these basic types

Incised wounds
caused by a clean, sharp-edged object involve only the epidermis
legally classified as a cuts rather than a wound

tend to bleed freely

blood vessels are cut cleanly and without ragged edges

little damage to the surrounding tissues least likely to become infected

free flow of blood washes out many of the microorganisms that cause infection

Lacerations
wounds are torn rather than cut ragged irregular edges and masses of torn tissue underneath irregular wounds:
blunt impact to soft tissue that lies over hard tissue
laceration of the skin covering the skull

tearing of skin and other tissues

childbirth

rough brushing against a surface

Lacerations
show bridging
connective tissue or blood vessels are flattened against the underlying hard surface

term laceration is commonly misused in reference to injury with sharp objects

not display bridging (connective tissue and blood vessels are severed)

usually bigger and can cause more tissue damage due to the size of the wound

Lacerations
dull knife bomb fragments accidents with machinery are lacerations
often complicated by crushing of the tissues

frequently contaminated
dirt grease materials ground into the tissue

very likely to become infected

Abrasions (grazes)
superficial wounds
topmost layer of the skin (epidermis) is scraped off

infected quite easily

dirt and germs are usually embedded in the tissues

bleeding not profuse

need medical attention for disinfection

Abrasions (grazes)
often caused
sliding fall onto a rough surface rope burns floor burns skinned knees or elbows

Puncture wounds
objects penetrate into the tissues leaving a small surface opening
Nails Needles Wire Bullets

As a rule
small puncture wounds do not bleed freely large puncture wounds may cause severe internal bleeding

Puncture wounds
wounds though not large in surface area are deep and can cause great internal damage possibility of infection is great in all puncture wounds to prevent anaerobic infections
primary closures are not made

Penetrating wounds
object entering the body
knife

Gunshot wounds
caused by a bullet or similar projectile driving into or through the body two wounds - through-and-through
site of entry site of exit

Profuse bleeding Serious internal injury victims are in great pain can suck in the contaminants from the air
susceptible to infection

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

Gunshot wounds
low-velocity missile damages only the tissues it comes into contact with velocity of wound-causing missiles (bullets or shrapnel) high-velocity missile can do enormous damage by forcing the tissues and body parts away from the track of the missile with a velocity only slightly less than that of the missile itself. These tissues, especially bone, may become damagecausing missiles themselves, thus accentuating the destructive effects of the missile

AVULSION
tearing away of tissue from a body part bleeding is usually heavy In certain situations, the torn tissue may be surgically reattached
wrapping in a sterile dressing placing in a cool container rushing it-along with the victim-to a medical facility Do not allow the avulsed portion to freeze Do not immerse it in water or saline

AVULSION

AMPUTATION
nonsurgical removal of the limb from the body bleeding is heavy
tourniquet to stop the flow

shock is certain to develop limb can often be successfully reattached

wrap the limb in a sterile dressing place in a cool container transport it to the hospital with the victim Do not allow the limb to be in direct contact with ice Do not immerse in water or saline

AMPUTATION

AMPUTATION

CLOSED WOUNDS
have fewer categories as dangerous as open wounds types of closed wounds
Petechiae Contusion Hematoma Crushing Injuries

Petechia
circumscribed extravasation of blood in the subcutaneous tissue or underneath the mucous membrane passage of blood from the capiliaries may be due to the increase intra-capillary pressure or increased permeability of the vessel hemorrhage may be small or pinhead sized may coalesce to form a bigger hemorrhagic area Petechia is not always a product of trauma

Contusions
commonly known as bruises caused by blunt force trauma or a hard punch or knock
rupture certain brittle capillaries that are found under the skin blood then leaks into the tissues
"blue-black" discoloration

occasional splitting of the skin

Contusions

Contusions
red sometimes purple soon after its complete development 4 to 5 days - color changes to green 7 to 10 days - becomes yellow 14 to 15 days - gradually disappears The ultimate disappearance of color varies from one to four weeks depending upon the severity and the constitution of the body color changes start from the periphery inwards

HEMATOMAS
blood tumors damage to blood vessel
blood to collect under the skin

blunt instrument is applied in part of the body whewere bony tissue is superficially located

HEMATOMAS
force applied causes the subcutaneous tissue will lead to the accumulation of blood causing it to elevate

Crushing injuries
caused by a great or extreme amount of force applied over a long period of time

Causes of Wounds
Knowing what has caused the wound may give you some idea of the
probable size of the wound general nature extent to which it is likely to become contaminated with foreign matter special dangers must be guarded against