Sloughing
Sloughing
Sloughing (pronunciation: /ˈslʌfɪŋ/) is a term used in medicine to describe the process of shedding or casting off dead tissue from the skin or a wound.
Etymology
The term 'sloughing' originates from the Old English word 'slūh' or 'slōh', which means husk or peel. In the medical context, it was first used in the 18th century to describe the process of shedding dead tissue.
Process
Sloughing occurs when the body naturally removes dead tissue to promote healing and prevent infection. This process is particularly important in wound healing, where it helps to clean the wound and prepare it for the growth of new, healthy tissue. Sloughing can also occur in response to certain diseases or treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, which can damage or kill cells.
Related Terms
- Debridement: This is a medical procedure that involves the removal of dead, damaged, or infected tissue to improve the healing potential of the remaining healthy tissue.
- Necrosis: This is a form of cell injury which results in the premature death of cells in living tissue.
- Exfoliation (dermatology): This is a process similar to sloughing that occurs in the skin, where the outermost layer of dead skin cells is shed.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Sloughing
- Wikipedia's article - Sloughing
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