32. The skin 2 PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR MEDICINE

PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR MEDICINE

32. The skin 2

A	Injuries to the skin Here is an extract from a medical website. Mechanical injuries to the skin are divided into those caused by a blunt force, such as a punch from a fist, and those caused by a sharp force, such as a knife. Injuries from blunt forces A An abrasion (also called a graze or a scratch) is a superficial (surface) injury involving only the epidermis, which has been removed by friction. A scratch is linear, as in fingernail scratches, whereas a graze involves a wider area, as in abrasions caused by dragging part of the body over a rough surface. B A contusion (also called a bruise) is an injury that occurs when blood vessels in the skin are damaged. C A laceration (also called a tear) is a wound involving both the dermis and epidermis. It is usually distinguished from penetrating or incised wounds by its irregular edges and relative lack of bleeding. Injuries from sharp forces: A An incised wound (also called a cut) is a break in the skin where the length of the wound on the surface is greater than the depth of the wound – for example, a wound caused by a razor blade. B The depth of a penetrating wound is greater than the superficial length of the wound – for example, a stab wound caused by a knife.
B	Case report Read the case report and compare it with the illustration.
C	Sores The word sore is a popular term for many different types of skin lesion, especially infected lesions. A pressure sore is a skin ulcer caused by pressure, for example the pressure of lying in bed for long periods also known as a bedsore, or decubitus ulcer). A cold sore is a lesion caused by herpes simplex. Note: the adjective sore means painful, for example a sore throat.

EXERCISES

32.1	Write the corresponding medical terms for the ordinary English words and say what kind of force is involved. Look at A opposite to help you.
32.2	Choose the correct words to complete the description of the injuries shown in the illustration. Look at A and B opposite to help you. There are (1) ______________ (scratches/grazes) above the left eyebrow and on the left side of the neck, a There are (2) ______________ (contusion/laceration) to the left side of the lower lip and There are (3) ______________ (cuts/tears) to the left cheek.
32.3	Write the description of the injuries shown in the illustration. Look at A and B above and at 32.2 above to help you. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________
32.4	Complete the sentences. Look at A, B and C above to help you. 1 Frequent changes of position are necessary in the immobile patient to prevent the development of a pressure ____________. 2 He had several ____________ wounds in the abdomen from the knife. 3 He was knocked unconscious by a heavy ____________ to the head. 4 The wounds were only ____________ and required no treatment.

Answer key