AAOS 12th Edition ECTSI - Chapter 27

abrasion

Loss or damage of the superficial layer of skin as a result of a body part rubbing or scraping across a rough or hard surface.

amputation

An injury in which part of the body is completely severed.

avulsion

An injury in which soft tissue is torn completely loose or is hanging as a flap.

burns

Injuries in which soft-tissue damage occurs as a result from thermal heat, frictional heat, toxic chemicals, electricity, or nuclear radiation.

closed injuries

Injuries in which damage occurs beneath the skin or mucous membrane but the surface remains intact.

compartment syndrome

Swelling in a confined space that produces dangerous pressure; may cut off blood flow or damage sensitive tissue.

contact burn

A burn caused by direct contact with a hot object.

contamination

The presence of infectious organisms or foreign bodies such as dirt, gravel, or metal

contusion

A bruise from an injury that causes bleeding beneath the skin without breaking the skin.

crushing injury

An injury that occurs when a great amount of force is applied to the body.

crush syndrome

Significant metabolic derangement that develops when crushed extremities or body parts remain trapped for prolonged periods. This can lead to renal failure and death.

dermis

The inner layer of the skin, containing hair follicles, sweat glands, nerve endings, and blood vessels.

ecchymosis

A buildup of blood beneath the skin that produces a characteristic blue or black discoloration as the result of an injury

epidermis

the outer layer of skin, which is made up of cells that are sealed together to form a watertight protective covering for the body

evisceration

The displacement of organs outside of the body.

excited delirium

A serious behavioral condition in which a person exhibits agitated behavior combined with disorientation, hallucinations, or delusions; also called agitated delirium or exhaustive mania.

fascia

The fiber-like connective tissue that covers arteries, veins, tendons, and ligaments.

flame burn

A burn caused by an open flame.

flash burn

A burn caused by exposure to very intense heat, such as in an explosion.

full thickness (third-degree) burns

Burns that affect all skin layers and may affect the subcutaneous layers, muscle, bone, and internal organs, leaving the area dry, leathery, and white, dark brown, or charred.

hematoma

A mass of blood that has collected within damaged tissue beneath the skin or in a body cavity.

impaled objects

Objects that penetrate the skin but remain in place.

incision

A sharp, smooth cut in the skin.

laceration

A deep, jagged cut in the skin.

mucous membranes

The linings of body cavities and passages that are in direct contact with the outside environment.

occlusive dressing

An airtight dressing that protects a wound from air and bacteria; a commercial vented version allows air to passively escape from the chest, while an unvented dressing may be made of petroleum jelly-based (Vaseline) gauze, aluminum foil, or plastic.

open injuries

Injuries in which there is a break in the surface of the skin or the mucous membrane, exposing deeper tissue to potential contamination.

partial-thickness (second-degree) burns

Burns that affect the epidermis and some portion of the dermis but not the subcutaneous tissue, characterized by blisters and skin that is white to red, moist, and mottled.

penetrating wound

An injury resulting from a sharp, piercing object.

rabid

infected with rabies

rule of nines

A system that assigns percentages to sections of the body, allowing calculation of the amount of skin surface involved in the burn area.

scald burn

A burn caused by hot liquids.

steam burn

A burn caused by exposure to hot steam.

superficial (first-degree) burns

burns that affect only the epidermis, characterized by skin that is red but not blistered or actually burned through

thermal burn

a burn caused by heat