laceration

A cut that may be superficial or deep. Long, shallow lacerations usually cause no great problems, but there is a risk of tetanus with any penetration of the skin by a foreign object. Until recently, it was a relatively simple job to treat a laceration. Cleaning and closure were often all that was required. With the onset of AIDS, people are much more aware of the dangers of blood-borne diseases. Even small cuts, if bleeding, should be dealt with carefully. The bleeding person must be removed from contact with others. The carers should wear gloves, and any area contaminated with blood should be disinfected. Lacerations contaminated with gravel or some other substance may have to be scrubbed clean.

A wound produced by tearing; the process of tearing.

Damage to the skin producing a wound; known colloquially as a cut. A laceration may be superficial or deep. Long, shallow lacerations may cause no great problems and require simple cleaning and closure. Sometimes scrubbing is required if the laceration if contaminated with gravel or some other substance. If an implement such as arrow or javelin is involved, deep structures are likely to be damaged and surgery may be required. Blood flowing from a laceration should be treated with care because of the danger of blood borne pathogens, such as hepatitis B and HIV. The bleeding must be controlled and the wound covered before the patient returns to sporting activity. Any laceration sustained during an outdoor sport carries with it the risk of tetanus, and all sportspeople should be immunized against this disease.

1. the act of tearing.
2. a wound produced by the tearing of body tissue, as distinguished from a cut or incision.