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Cuts and puncture wounds

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Definition:

A cut is an injury that results in a break or opening in the skin. A laceration is a jagged, irregular cut. A puncture is a wound made by a pointed object (like a nail, knife, or sharp tooth).

Alternative Names:

Wound - cut or puncture; Open wound; Laceration

References:

Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2002.

• Review Date: 5/15/2006
• Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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