A wound is a type of injury in which skin is torn, cut or punctured (an open wound), or where blunt force trauma

causes a contusion (a closedwound). In pathology, it specifically refers to a sharp injury which damages the dermis of the skin.

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. Lacerations, irregular tear-like wounds caused by some blunt trauma. The term laceration is commonly misused in reference to incisions. 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 needle. Penetration wounds, caused by an object such as a knife entering the body. 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. 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 bruises, caused by blunt force trauma that damages tissue under the skin. Hematomas, also called blood tumors, caused by damage to a blood vessel that in turn causes blood to collect under the skin. Crushing injuries, caused by a great or extreme amount of force applied over a long period of time.
There are 5 basic types of wound; Incision The skin is cut by a sharp object, usually a knife or razor. This type of wound may be deep, but will usually heal quickly. Laceration This type of wound is caused by a jagged edge, the skin has been torn, rather than cut. A lacerated wound will take longer than an incised to heal and leave a scar. Abrasion Abrasions are caused by contact with a rough surface, the skin has been ground away. The wound is shallow, but the area damaged can be extensive. These wounds have the highest risk of contamination by

foreign material and objects. Thus requiring extensive cleaning before dressing. Contusion Also commonly referred to as bruising, although the outer layer of skin may appear undamaged, there may have been extensive damage to underlying structures. Blood accumulates under the skin causing localised swelling. Puncture Caused by sharp pointed objects. These wounds appear very small, however they are deep. Frequently structures that lie deep beneath the surface have been damaged.