What is primarily affected in a full-thickness wound?

In a full-thickness wound, the injury extends through all layers of the skin, which includes the epidermis, dermis, and reaches into the subcutaneous tissue. This type of wound represents a severe form of skin damage that can affect not only the visible surfaces but also the deeper structures involved in skin integrity and sensation.

The full-thickness nature of the wound indicates that both the outermost layer (the epidermis) and the deeper layer (the dermis), as well as the underlying adipose tissue (the subcutaneous tissue), have been compromised. This level of damage can lead to significant challenges in healing, as full-thickness wounds may involve loss of blood supply and the need for more extensive healing processes, such as granulation tissue formation and potential surgical intervention, depending on the size and nature of the wound.

In contrast, wounds that only affect the epidermis, or those that involve both the epidermis and dermis but not the underlying fat, do not meet the criteria for a full-thickness wound and typically present with a different set of healing characteristics and management requirements. Such distinctions in wound classification are crucial for determining appropriate treatment and understanding the healing trajectory.