A laceration is a wound that is produced by the tearing of soft
body tissue. This type of wound is often irregular and jagged. A
laceration wound is often contaminated with bacteria and
debris from whatever object caused the cut.A puncture wound is
usually caused by a sharp pointy object such as a nail, animal
teeth, or a tack. This type of wound usually does not bleed
excessively and can appear to close up. Puncture wounds are also
prone to infection and should be treated appropriately.
Review Date: 01/04/2011
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason
Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve,
MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
