What it means
A shallow wound caused by friction against a rough surface, as in a fall on pavement. It damages the epidermisep-ih-DER-misThe thin outer layer of the skin.epi- on, uponderm/o skinFull entry and sometimes the top of the dermisDER-misThe thick layer of skin under the epidermis that holds blood vessels, nerves, hair roots and glands.derm/o skinFull entry , so it may ooze or bleed a little but is not deep. Dirt can get into it. In the eye, a corneal abrasion is a scratch on the clear front surface.
For the nurse
Clean the area gently with water or saline to remove dirt, cover it, and check tetanus immunization status.
At a glance
| Everyday words | scrape |
|---|---|
| Spanish | abrasión, raspadura |
| Also written | abrasions |
Related terms
laceration
A cut or tear in the skin or other tissue, often with jagged edges.
epidermis
The thin outer layer of the skin.
wound
A break or injury in the skin or the tissue under it.