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gangrene (gang´grēn) the death of body tissue, generally in considerable mass, usually associated with loss of vascular (nutritive) supply, and followed by bacterial invasion and putrefaction. Although it usually affects the limbs, gangrene sometimes may involve the internal organs. The most common types are moist gangrene, dry gangrene, and gas gangrene. Symptoms depend on the site and include fever, pain, darkening of the skin, and an unpleasant odor. If there is gangrene of an internal organ, it is usually accompanied by pain and collapse. Gangrene inside the body occurs in conditions such as strangulated hernia, acute appendicitis, gallstones, or thrombosis of an artery. dry gangrene
a type that develops slowly, with gradual reduction of blood flow in the arteries and no bacterial decomposition; the tissues
become dry, shriveled, cold, and pulseless, and turn first brown and then black. This type is found only on the limbs. Fournier gangrene
an acute gangrenous infection of the scrotum, penis, or perineum, usually resulting from trauma to the area, an operative
procedure, a urinary tract disease, or inflammation that has spread from some distant site. Called also Fournier disease. gas gangrene
a type resulting from a lacerated wound that becomes contaminated and infected by anaerobic bacteria, especially species of
Clostridium; muscles and subcutaneous tissues become painful and filled with gas, with a watery, bloody exudate. moist gangrene
a type caused by sudden stoppage of blood flow, such as after burning by heat or acid, severe freezing, a physical accident
that destroys the tissue, a tourniquet that has been left on too long, or a clot or other embolism. The affected tissue at first has the color of a bad bruise, is swollen, and may blister.
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