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• Wound Management Glossary

• A
• B
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• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
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• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
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• X
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• Z

A

Aerobes are bacteria which require the presence of molecular oxygen.

The science, doctrine, or demonstration of causes; esp., the investigation of the causes of any disease; the science of the origin and development of things.

The growth of new blood vessels at the base of the wound.

A non-toxic disinfectant, which can be applied to skin and has the ability to destroy vegetative compounds, such as bacteria by preventing their growth.

Usually traumatic or surgical. They usually begin with a solitary, sudden insult and proceed to heal in an orderly manner without complication.

Anaerobes are bacteria that do not tolerate free oxygen and grow where there is no air or where there is a low oxidation-reduced potential.

B

Very small living organisms made of only one cell.

The distinct erythema caused by reactive hyperaemia, when the skin blanches or whitens if light finger pressure is applied, indicating that the patient’s microcirculation is intact (NICE, 2003).

C

One of the tiny blood vessels joining arterioles and venules.

The cell is the basic unit of all living organisms. Some living organisms exist only as a single cell.

Inflammation of the tissues presenting as oedema, redness, pain and heat, often with hardness of the tissues and a demarcation of the red area.

Multiplication of micro-organisms without a corresponding host reaction.

A protein generated by fibroblasts which provides the supportive network of connective tissue.

Contains collagen and elastic fibres and can be found in the dermis.

A wound that has been disrupted at a stage of healing, usually stuck in inflammation or proliferation for a period of three months or more.

D

The removal of foreign material and devitalised tissue or contaminated tissue from the wound surgically, chemically or by autolysis.

This is second principal part of the skin and is composed of connective tissue. The few cells in the dermis include fibroblasts and macrophages.The thickness of the dermis varies depending on anatomical location. Blood vessels, nerves and glands are embedded in the dermis.

Dead tissue.

A large double stranded helical nucleic acid molecule, found principally in the chromosomes of the nucleus of the cell, that is the carrier of genetic information.

E

A painful redness of the skin surrounding a wound due to the dilatation of the blood capillaries in the dermis.

One of the latter stages of wound healing. Completion of the epidermal covering by epithelial cells, normally pinkish in colour.

This is the first layer of the skin and is composed of stratified squamous epithelium and contains four principal cells, the main cell being the keratinocyte. These cells help waterproof and protect the skin and underlying tissues.

The cellular covering of internal and external body surfaces, including the lining of vessels and small cavities.

Scab consisting of dried serum and devitalised dermal cells.

Consists of ground substance and fibres. The ground substance is an amorphous gel like material that fills the spaces between cells and contains interstitial fluid and proteoglycans. The fibres consist of collagen, elastin and reticular fibres.

Serous - clear fluid which leaks out through cell membranes and blood vessels, straw coloured.

F

The cells that form fibrous tissue.

Destruction of epidermal and dermal layers. Loss of nerve endings, blood vessels, hair follicles and sweat glands. Deeper tissues such as muscle, bone or tendon may also be involved.

G

Phase of healing without proliferation. The wound bed looks granular. Highly vascular due to the formation of new blood vessels, red in colour.

Peptides which are a subset of cytokines vital for cell proliferation.

H

The stoppage of bleeding.

Blood-stained fluid when serous fluid mixes with blood, red/pink in colour.

I

The abnormal hardening of tissue.

An increase number of organisms causing associated symptoms such as redness, swelling, oedema and heat.

L

Larval therapy offers an effective approach to wound debridement and removing bacteria. Specially bred, sterile maggots which liquefy dead tissue using enzymes are now available to treat a range of wounds.

Larval therapy offers an effective approach to wound debridement and removing bacteria. Specially bred, sterile maggots which liquefy dead tissue using enzymes are now available to treat a range of wounds.

M

A softening or sogginess of the tissue resulting from prolonged exposure to moisture.

Phagocytic cell derived from a monocyte.

This is the final phase of healing, strengthening and reorganising collagen fibres.

In excess, MMP's break down the cell supporting extracellular matrix therefore delaying wound healing.

A type of white blood cell with a kidney shaped nucleus. It ingests bacteria and foreign debris.

N

Localised tissue death that occurs in groups of cells in response to disease or injury.

The neuroischaemic foot is cool, pulseless with poor perfusion associated with peripheral neuropathy. The foot may appear deceptively pink or red.

The neuropathic foot is a warm, well perfused foot with bounding pulses, sweating is diminished and the skin may be dry and prone to fissures. Callus may be present which is hard and dry. The arch of the foot tends to be raised and the toes may be clawed.

A variety of granulocyte distinguished by the presence in its cytoplasm of fine granules that stain purple with Romanowsky stains. It is capable of killing and digesting bacteria and provides an important defence against infection (Oxford dictionary, 2003).

O

The abnormal collection of fluid in interstitial spaces of tissues.

P

The engulfment and digestion of bacteria.

Surgical wound or minor laceration where the skin edges are held together.

Infiltration of the wound site by new blood vessels and the growth and reproduction of the tissue as part of the healing process.

Frank pus coming from the wound indicating infection, yellow/green in colour, may be brown/red if infection is causing wound to bleed.

A fever with a temperature of the body above 37°C.

S

In open wounds where there is significant tissue loss.

The skin contains abundant nerve endings and receptors to detect stimuli related to temperature, touch, pressure and pain.

A typical white/yellow colour. It is made up of dead cells that have accumulated in the exudate.

The passage of blood or serous exudate from the wound onto the outer surface of the dressing.

Epidermal damage.

Infection pertaining to the whole of the body, rather than to a localised area.

T

The maximum pressure that can be applied to the wound without causing it to break apart.

A poison, usually one produced by or occurring in a plant or organism.

W

A breakdown in the protective function of the skin; the loss of continuity of epithelium, with or without loss of underlying connective tissue (i.e. muscle, bone, nerves).

Wound infections are usually caused by the patient’s normal flora, or by bacteria from the environment or the skin of hospital staff. The commonest organism is Staphylococcus aureus. Other common causative organisms include other Gram-negative aerobes, Streptococcus.