Incised wound
Definition: A clean-cut wound produced by a sharp-edged weapon in which the length on the skin surface is greater than the depth.
Features
- Produced by a sharp cutting weapon.
- Margins are clean-cut, regular and well-defined; edges everted.
- Edges are not bruised or abraded.
- Tissue bridges absent; hair bulbs cleanly cut.
- Wound gapes due to skin elasticity and Langer's lines.
- Bleeding is profuse.
- Foreign material is usually absent.
- Length exceeds depth.
| Feature | Incised Wound |
|---|---|
| Cause | Sharp cutting weapon |
| Margins | Clean-cut, regular |
| Edges | Everted |
| Tissue bridges | Absent |
| Bruising / Abrasion | Usually absent |
| Hair bulbs | Cleanly cut |
| Bleeding | Profuse |
| Length vs Depth | Length greater than depth |