INJURIES TO TISSUES

smooth or visceral muscle

Muscle tissue that contracts without voluntary control; contracts slowly and contraction is sustained over a longer time; found in internal organs and blood vessels.

ecchymosis

Ruptured blood vessels in the subcutaneous tissue, noticeable by a purple discoloration of the skin.

hematoma

A blood-filled swollen area; a goose-egg mass caused by bleeding under the tissues.

blister

A bubble-like collection of fluid beneath or within the epidermis of the skin.

incision

A clean, straight, knife-like cut.

tissue

A collection of similar cells and their intercellular substances that work together to perform a particular function.

fracture (fx)

A crack or break in a bone.

crepitus

A crackling or grating sound heard upon movement of a damaged bone or joint.

articulation

A joint; the point at which two or more bones meet.

avulsion

A painful soft tissue injury in which a flap of tissue is torn loose or pulled off completely.

subluxation (sx)

A partial dislocation.

strain

A pulled muscle.

systemic reaction

A reaction that involves the whole body rather than just a part of it.

anaphalactic shock

A severe, sometimes fatal allergic reaction that causes a sharp drop in blood pressure and breathing difficulties.

contusion

A soft tissue injury caused by seepage of blood into tissue; a bruise.

puncture wound

A soft tissue injury caused by the penetration of a sharp object.

sprain

A stretching or tearing of the ligaments, characterized by the inability to move, deformity, and pain.

callus

A thickened, usually painless area of skin caused by friction or pressure.

paresthesia

An abnormal sensation of the skin, such as numbness, tingling, prickling, or burning, with no apparent cause.

abrasion

An open wound, road burn, or rug burn in which the outer layer of skin has been scraped off.

tendon

Fibrous connective tissue around a joint that connects muscle to bone.

bursitis

Inflammation of a bursa.

tendonitis

Inflammation of a tendon.

synovitis

Inflammation of the synovial membrane in a joint, characterized by pain, swelling, localized tension, and increased pain with movement.

joint laxity

Joint play; motions occurring between the ends of two or more bones that form a joint as it moves through its range of motion.

PRICE procedure

Systemic steps taken to mitigate or minimize injury: protect, rest, ice, compress, and elevate.

cell

The basic unit of life.

cardiac muscle

The muscle of the heart, adapted to continued rhythmic contraction.

dislocation (dx)

The separation of a joint and malposition of an extremity.

physiology

The study of the function of the body (how the body works).

anatomy

The study of the structure of the body (how the body is put together).

skeletal or striated muscle

Voluntary muscles that can be consciously controlled, unlike involuntary muscles that work whether the body is conscious or unconscious.

splint

a rigid material used to support or immobilize an injured body part. This can be anything from casting material to a magazine.