The Burned Hand

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that even brief heat of more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit, when applied to the skin, will cause damage to the cells in that skin. The author points out that, at the time the skin receptors signal the brain that a burn has occurred, the hand instinctively draws back from the source of the heat and the muscles in the hand contract upon realizing an injury has occurred. The paper relates that the spinal column and the brain act as the control center for the entire body sending and receiving signals from the control center to different areas of the body.

Table of Contents:
Objective
Scenario
Overview of Burns as per Medical Classification
The Anatomy and Physiology of the Skin
Figure: Skin's Anatomy and Function
The Epidermis and Dermis
Skin Hot and Cold Receptors
Figure: Flowchart for Body and Brain Process at the Time Hand is Burned on Stove
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper:

"In the case of a third degree burn the full layers of skin are affected and will appear white or charred and very deep burns will leave bones and muscles exposed needing specialized treatment and possibly grafting of skin to prevent scarring. These are the three burn types that might be dealt with in this scenario however only in some extreme accidental hand on the stove scenario would a third degree or even second degree burn be applicable."

Sample of Sources Used:

• DeSanti, Leslie (2005) Pathophysiology and Current Management of Burn Injury Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. Volume 18(6), July/August 2005, pp 323-332
• Hancock, Elise (1995) The Handy Guide to Touch - April 1995. Online available at: http://www.jhu.edu/~jhumag/495web/touch.html.
• Kane, Daniel (2004) Feb 19 How Your Brain Handles Love and Pain MSNBC Online available at: http://www.sciam.com/search/index.cfm?QT=Q&SCC=Q&Q=burns%3A+skin+receptors.
• Britt, Robert Roy (2006) The Pain Truth: How and Why We Hurt - Health Sci-Tech 31 January 2006 Live Science Online available at: http://aolsearch.a ol.com/aol/search?query=signals+to+brain+from+burn&page=4&nt=SG1_S I0&userid=-7493026336042476887&invocationType=topsearchbox.search&c lickstreamid=-7493026336042476889

More papers on The Burned Hand:

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• Analytical Essay # 109170 : "Sarty's Struggle in "Barn Burning"
• Analytical Essay # 112755 : "Controlled Burning"

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