abrasion — Damage to the superficial layer of skin as a result of rubbing or scraping across a rough or hard surface.
avulsion — Soft tissue that is either torn completely loose or is hanging as a flap.
contusion — A traumatic injury to the tissues beneath the skin without a break in the skin.
dermis — The inner layer of skin containing hair follicles, sweat glands, nerve endings and blood vessels.
dislocation — An
injury that occurs when the bone ends that form a joint become separated, for example, a dislocated shoulder.
ecchymosis — Discoloration under the skin that is caused when blood leaks out into the surrounding soft tissues causing the skin to
turn different colors. A “black eye” is ecchymosis under the skin around and below the eye.
edema — Swelling as a result of inflammation or abnormal fluid under the skin.
epidermis - The outer layer of the skin that keeps you waterproof.
hematoma — Blood collected within the skin, muscles or in a body cavity. A large hematoma can be seen or felt.
laceration — A cut in the skin.
plasma — A sticky, yellow fluid that is part of blood. If you remove the red blood and white blood cells from blood you are left with
plasma.
subcutaneous tissue — A layer of tissue, composed largely of fat, that lies directly under the dermis.
sprain — A joint injury involving damage to supporting ligaments and partial or temporary dislocation of bone ends.
strain — Stretching or tearing of a muscle; also called a muscle pull.
New Terms
body substance isolation (BSI) — An infection control concept and practice that assumes that all body fluids are potentially infectious. This includes the use of gloves and eye protection and can include gowns and masks.
compartment syndrome — An elevation of pressure within the compartment that contains muscles, nerves and vessels. For example, the
lower leg has compartments in the front, back and side. Patients with compartment syndrome have skin that is very sensitive to touch or pressure,
pain on stretching of affected muscles and decreased strength. Compartment syndrome is most common in the lower leg and usually develops
several hours after an injury.
fascia — A band of tough fibrous connective tissue. It lies deep under the skin and forms an outer layer for the muscles. Think of
it as the sack that holds the muscle fibers.
