Pathophysiology
Clinical meaning
Wound assessment is a systematic, comprehensive evaluation of a wound and its surrounding tissue that guides treatment decisions, monitors healing progress, and identifies complications. The skin is the largest organ of the body and consists of three primary layers: the epidermis (outermost protective layer composed of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium), the dermis (connective tissue layer containing blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and sebaceous and sweat glands), and the hypodermis or subcutaneous tissue (adipose and connective tissue providing insulation and cushioning). Beneath the subcutaneous layer lies the fascia, muscle, and bone. Understanding these anatomical layers is essential for accurate wound depth assessment and staging. Wounds are classified by multiple parameters: etiology (surgical, traumatic, pressure injury, vascular, diabetic), depth (superficial, partial-thickness, full-thickness, and those extending into muscle or bone), chronicity (acute wounds heal within the expected timeframe; chronic wounds fail to progress through healing phases in an orderly and timely manner, typically defined as wounds not healing within 30 days), and wound bed tissue type (granulation tissue is healthy red/pink tissue indicating healing; slough is yellow/tan devitalized tissue; eschar is black/brown hard...