Wound healing
Wound Healing
Wound healing is a complex process in which the skin, and the tissues under it, repair themselves after injury. In this article, we will discuss the process of wound healing, its stages, factors affecting it, and related terms.
Pronunciation
- /ˈwo͞ond ˈhēliNG/
Etymology
The term 'wound' comes from the Old English 'wund', meaning an injury to living tissue caused by a cut, blow, or other impact, typically one in which the skin is cut or broken. 'Healing' comes from the Old English 'hælan', meaning to make whole, sound, or well.
Process
The process of wound healing is divided into four main phases: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling.
- Hemostasis is the process that causes bleeding to stop, it's the first stage of wound healing. This is achieved by the aggregation of platelets that form a 'platelet plug', and the activation of the coagulation cascade.
- Inflammation is the second stage of wound healing. It is characterized by pain, heat, redness, swelling, and a loss of function. Neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, arrive at the wound site and start to ingest bacteria and cellular debris.
- Proliferation involves the growth of new tissue and blood vessels to replace the damaged ones. Fibroblasts, a type of cell, start to synthesize collagen, creating new tissue.
- Remodeling is the final stage of wound healing. The wound contracts as the new tissue is remodeled. The final result is a scar.
Factors Affecting Wound Healing
Several factors can affect wound healing, including the patient's health status, the type and location of the wound, the treatment provided, and the patient's nutrition. For example, diseases like diabetes and immunodeficiency disorders can slow down the wound healing process.
Related Terms
- Debridement is the medical removal of dead, damaged, or infected tissue to improve the healing potential of the remaining healthy tissue.
- Granulation tissue is new connective tissue and microscopic blood vessels that form on the surfaces of a wound during the healing process.
- Scar is a mark left on the skin or within body tissue where a wound, burn, or sore has not healed completely and fibrous connective tissue has developed.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Wound healing
- Wikipedia's article - Wound healing
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