Stab wound

A penetrating injury caused when a pointed object pierces the body, typically creating a wound deeper than it is wide. Its severity depends on the structures damaged, not just the external wound.

Penetrating trauma: An injury in which an object breaches the skin and enters underlying tissues or body cavities. A stab wound is one form of penetrating trauma.
Advanced Trauma Life Support: A standardized approach to the initial assessment and treatment of injured patients. Its primary survey identifies immediate threats after penetrating injury.
Thoracic trauma: Injury to the chest wall, lungs, heart, or other structures within the thorax. A chest stab wound can injure vital organs despite a small entry site.
Incised wound: A cut made by a sharp edge, generally longer at the surface than it is deep. An incision is usually surface-dominant, unlike a narrow, deep stab track.
Septicemia: A serious bloodstream infection arising from infection elsewhere in the body. Contaminated penetrating wounds can lead to severe systemic infection.
Wound ballistics: The study of how projectiles transfer energy and damage tissue. Its principles help distinguish stab injuries from high-energy projectile wounds.
Focused assessment with sonography for trauma: Bedside ultrasound used to detect free fluid and selected thoracic injuries in trauma patients. It can rapidly reveal internal bleeding after a stab wound.
Abdominal trauma: Injury to abdominal organs, blood vessels, or the abdominal wall. A blade may penetrate the abdomen and damage concealed organs.
Laceration: A tear in tissue caused by blunt force, often with irregular edges. Blunt tearing differs from the relatively clean penetration of a sharp point.
Compartment syndrome: Dangerous pressure buildup within a closed muscle compartment that impairs circulation and tissue function. Bleeding into a limb after penetration can raise compartment pressure.

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