Soft Tissue Injuries Flashcards
Epidermis
Tough, external layer that forms a watertight covering of the body.
How are old epidermis cells replaced?
They are replaced by cells that are pushed to the surface when new cells form in the germinal layer at the base of the epidermis.
Dermis
Inner layer of skin that lies below the germinal cells of the epidermis.
What does the dermis layer contain?
Hair follicles
Sweat glands
Sebaceous glands
Function of sweat glanfs
Help cool the body by releasing sweat onto the surface of the skin through small pores that pass through the epidermis.
Function of sebaceous glands
Produces sebum which is the oily material that waterproofs the skin and keeps it supple.
Which layer of the skin does the blood vessels provide the skin with nutrients and oxygen?
Dermis
Three layers of the skin
Epidermis
Dermis
Subcutaneous tissue
What orfices in the body are lined with mucous membranes?
Mouth, nose, anus, and vagina
Difference between mucous membranes and skin?
Both are a protective barrier, however the mucous membrane secretes a watery substance to lubricate the opening while skin is dry.
The skins many functions :
Protects body from pathogens and keeps fluids in.
Nerves in the skin reports to the brain on the environment and many sensations.
Regulating temperature
What is a tension line?
Skin is arranged over the body structures in a manner that provides tension.
Lacerations occurring ___ to the skin tension lines may remain ___ with little or no intervention.
parallel; closed
Dynamic tension
Tension lines found in areas that lie over muscle. Tension varies according to the contraction of the underlying muscle and subsequent movement of the skin.
Why doe injuries to dynamic tension lines interfere with healing?
The injury disrupts the clotting process and the tissue repair cycle, resulting in slowed healing and a tendency toward abnormal scar formation.
Closed soft-tissue injuries are characterized by :
Hx of blunt trauma
Pain at the injury site
Swelling
Discoloration
What is a contusion?
Torn small blood vessels and cellular damage within the dermis.
Ecchymosis
Bruising or discoloration associated with bleeding within or under the skin.
Hematoma
Large blood vessel is damaged and bleeds rapidly. Usually associated w/ extensive tissue damage.
Crush syndrome
Metabolic derangement that can result in renal failure and death. It develops when crushed extremities or other body parts remain trapped for prolonged periods of time.
Pathophysiology of crush syndrome.
When tissues are crush, muscle cells die and release harmful substances into surrounding tissues. The oppressing force prevents blood from returning to the injured body part, so the harmful substances are released into the circulation AFTER the limb is freed and blood low is returned.
Compartment syndrome
Develops when edema and swelling result in increased pressure within a closed soft-tissue compartment.
What should you assess continuously when a crush injury is suspected? Why?
Skin color, temperature, and distal pulses. Looking for signs of compartment syndrome.
Abrasion
Wound of the superficial layer of the skin caused by friction when a body rubs or scrapes across a rough or hard surface.