Ecchymosis
| Ecchymosis | |
|---|---|
| Classification and external resources | |
| File:Ecchymosis | |
| ICD-9 | 459.89, 782.7 |
| MeSH | D004438 |
An ecchymosis (
/ˌɛkɨˈmoʊsɪs/; Ancient Greek: ἐκχύμωσις from ἐκ "out" + χέω "I pour") is the medical term for a subcutaneous purpura larger than 1 centimeter or a hematoma, commonly called a bruise. It can be located in the skin or in a mucous membrane.
A more generic definition of ecchymosis [1] [2] (noun) \e-ki-ˈmō-səs\ is as: the escape of blood into the tissues from ruptured blood vessels. The term ecchymosis also applies to the sub-cutaneous discoloration resulting from seepage of blood within the contused tissue.
— ec·chy·mo·ses (plural)
— ec·chy·mot·ic (adjective)
— ec·chy·mosed (adjective)
— ec·chy·moma — tumor (swelling) or hematoma caused by extravasation.
Etymology: First used in the English [language] translation of "Galen's Terapentyke" (published in Britain, 1541). New Latin, from Greek ekchymōsis, from ekchymousthai to extravasate blood, from ex- + chymos juice — more at chyme. Cf. enchyma, tissue infused with organic juice; elaboration from chyme, the formative juice of tissues. Also parenchyma, and suffix -enchyma.
[edit] Presentation
After local trauma, red blood cells are phagocytosed and degraded by macrophages. The blue-red color is produced by the enzymatic conversion of hemoglobin into bilirubin, which is more blue-green. The bilirubin is then converted into hemosiderin, a golden brown color, which accounts for the color changes of the bruise.[3]
Hematomas can be subdivided by size. By definition, ecchymoses are 1 to 2 cm in size or larger, and are therefore larger than petechia (1–2 mm) or pigmented purpuric dermatosis (>3 mm).[3] Hematomas also have a more diffuse border than other purpura.[4]
Generally speaking, dermatologists prefer to differentiate between purpurae, petechiae, and ecchymoses as descriptive technical terms. Other specialties such as internal medicine will frequently call all of these ecchymoses, because the finer distinction is not relevant in the particular case.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Merriam-Webster Dictionary. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecchymosis; accessed 1/2/2012
- ^ Gould, George M. "The Practitioner's Medical Dictionary," P. Blakiston's Son & Co., 1916 et seq.; p. 311
- ^ a b Robbins and Cotran, Pathologic basis of Disease 8th edition, pp. 114
- ^ "Case Based Pediatrics Chapter". http://www.hawaii.edu/medicine/pediatrics/pedtext/s16c03.html. Retrieved 2009-01-08.
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