Wound and Skin Terminology
Abrasion—a wearing of the skin through some mechanical process, such as friction or
trauma
Abscess—a circumscribed collection of pus that forms in tissue as a result of acute or
chronic localized infection and is associated with tissue destruction and, in many cases,
swelling
Acute wound—any wound that is new or progressing as expected
Angiogenesis—the formation and regeneration of blood vessels
Antimicrobial—an agent that kills the microbes or inhibits their growth
Autolysis—the breakdown of tissues or cells by the body’s own mechanisms, such as
enzymes or white blood cells
Blanchable erythema—a reddened area of the skin that temporarily turns white or pale
when pressure is applied with a fingertip; also known as reactive hyperemia
Blister—vesicle containing serum; secondary to a burn, friction or pressure
Cellulitis—cellular or connective tissue inflammation that is characterized by redness,
swelling and tenderness
Chemical debridement—the topical application of biologic enzymes to breakdown
devitalized tissue
Chronic wound—any wound that is not healing in a timely fashion (healing has slowed or
stopped)
Collagen—the main supportive protein of skin, tendon, bone, cartilage and connective
tissue
Colonized—contaminated with bacteria
Contamination—the presence of the bacteria, microorganisms or other foreign material in
or on tissues (wounds with bacterial counts of 10 or fewer organisms per gram of tissue
are usually considered contaminated; those with higher counts are generally considered
infected)
Cytotoxic agents—compounds that destroy both diseased and healthy cells that may be
used to clean wounds; examples include providone-iodine, Dakin’s solution and
hydrogen peroxide
