Wound
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adding heading "See also" and 1 internal link: *[[International Red Cross Wound Classification System]] ([[WP:O]])
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{{for|the 1991 industrial album|Wound (album)}}
{{redirect|Wounds|the 1998 drama film|The Wounds}}
{{Infobox_Disease
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[[Image:Chapter1figure1-Superficial bullet wound.jpg|thumb|250px|Superficial bullet wounds]]
In [[medicine]], a '''wound''' is a type of [[injury]] in which in the [[skin]] is torn, cut or punctured (an ''open'' wound), or where blunt force [[physical trauma|trauma]] causes a [[bruise|contusion]] (a ''closed'' wound). In [[pathology]], it specifically refers to a sharp injury which damages the [[dermis]] of the skin.
==Types of wounds==
[[Image:wound sewed.jpg|right|thumb|130px|Wound, sewn with four [[Suture|stitches]]]]
[[Image:Laceration, leg.jpg|thumb|130px|A laceration to the leg]]
===Open===
Open wounds can be classified 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 (skin)|epidermis]] are legally classified as cuts, rather than wounds.{{fact|date=March 2007}}
*'''[[wiktionary:laceration|Lacerations]]''', irregular wounds caused by a blunt impact to soft tissue that 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.{{fact|date=March 2007}} The term ''laceration'' is commonly misused in reference to injury with sharp objects, which would not display bridging (connective tissue and blood vessels are severed).
*'''[[Abrasion (medical)|Abrasions]]''' (grazes), superficial wounds in which the topmost layer of the [[skin]] (the epidermis) is scraped off. Abrasions are often caused by a sliding fall onto a rough surface.
*'''Puncture wounds''', caused by an object puncturing the [[skin]], such as a nail or [[Hypodermic needle|needle]].
*'''[[penetrating trauma|Penetration wound]]s''', caused by an object such as a knife entering the body.
*'''[[ballistic trauma|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, stab wounds and gunshot wounds are considered major wounds.{{fact|date=March 2007}}
===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 [[bruise]]s, caused by blunt force trauma that damages [[Biological tissue|tissue]] under the skin.
*'''[[Hematoma]]s''', also called blood tumors, caused by damage to a [[blood vessel]] that in turn causes [[blood]] to collect under the [[skin]].
*'''[[Crush injury|Crushing injuries]]''', caused by a great or extreme amount of force applied over a long period of time.
== Healing ==
To [[healing|heal]] a wound, the body undertakes a series of actions collectively known as the '''[[wound healing]]''' process.
===Infection===
[[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.<ref Name="Sheffield">{{cite web | title = Light to detect wound infection | work = UK scientists have identified a way of using light to rapidly detect the presence of bacteria. | publisher = BBC News | date = 11 March 2007 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6427787.stm | format = web | doi = | accessdate =2008-03-17 }}</ref>
==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; wounds were seen as an outward sign of an inward illness. Thus, a man who was wounded physically in a serious way was said to be hindered not only physically but spiritually as well. If the soul was wounded, that wound may also eventually become physically manifest, revealing the true state of the soul.<ref name = Gawain>
{{
cite journal| author=Reichardt, Paul F. |title=Gawain and the image of the wound |journal=PMLA |date=1984 | volume=99 |issue=2 |pages=154-161 |doi=10.2307/462158 |PMID= |url=
}}
</ref> Wounds were also seen as writing on the "tablet" of the body. Wounds gotten in war, for example, told the story of a soldier in a form which all could see and understand, and the wounds of a [[martyr]] told the story of their faith.<ref name = Gawain/>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==See also==
*[[International Red Cross Wound Classification System]]
==External links==
{{Wiktionary}}
{{Commonscat|Wounds}}
*[http://woundsresearch.com ''Wounds''], online open-access journal featuring articles about wound care and related research.
*[http://o-wm.com Ostomy Wound Management], online open-access journal featuring articles about wound care, ostomy care, incontinence care and nutrition
*[http://journalofburnsandwounds.com Journal of Burns and Wounds], online open-access journal featuring articles about wound care and related research
*[http://1firstaidguide.com/lacerations/ Information on lacerations]
{{Injuries, other than fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains}}
[[Category:First aid]]
[[Category:Injuries]]
[[Category:Medical emergencies]]
[[Category:Traumatology]]
[[cs:Rána]]
[[de:Wunde]]
[[es:Herida]]
[[fi:Haava]]
[[fr:Plaie]]
[[io:Plago]]
[[it:Ferita]]
[[ja:創傷]]
[[lt:Žaizda]]
[[pl:Rana]]
[[pt:Ferida]]
[[th:บาดแผล]]