A wound is a disruption in the natural tissue structure. This definition applies to wounds where the skin is no longer intact, in other words external wounds, and to those involving the tissue beneath the skin, an articular capsule or an organ (internal wounds or blunt trauma). In these cases, the skin remains intact.
Most wounds are caused by force inflicted upon the body from outside. The accompanying pressure and shear force can cause a range of wounds in the different tissues, depending on the tissue elasticity. In addition to these mechanical causes, chemical substances and thermal influences can also be responsible for wounds.
Although wounds can vary greatly in shape, size and cause; they always share the following characteristics – pain, bleeding and lymph secretion and, for external wounds – separation of the wound edges.