The thorax ( pl. : thoraces or thoraxes ) or chest is a part of the anatomy of mammals and other tetrapod animals located between the neck and the abdomen .
63-407: A scar is a mark left behind after a wound has healed. Scar ( s ) may also refer to: Scar A scar (or scar tissue ) is an area of fibrous tissue that replaces normal skin after an injury . Scars result from the biological process of wound repair in the skin, as well as in other organs , and tissues of the body. Thus, scarring is a natural part of the healing process. With
126-508: A silk -derived sericin hydrogel dressing was undergoing research, the material was shown to prevent scar formation. By 2021, more people were paying attention to the possibility of scar revision and new technologies. In 2021, researchers found that, verteporfin , an FDA -approved drug for eye disease, could enable scar-free healing in mice. According to the study, the drug works by blocking mechanical stress signals in fibroblast cells. Chest In insects , crustaceans , and
189-421: A 7-day window on a monthly basis. All other adult tissues, upon rapid shedding or injury, can scar. Prolonged inflammation , as well as the fibroblast proliferation, can occur. Redness that often follows an injury to the skin is not a scar and is generally not permanent (see wound healing ). The time it takes for this redness to dissipate may, however, range from a few days to, in some serious and rare cases,
252-455: A collagen matrix. This collagen overexpression continues and crosslinks the fiber arrangement inside the collagen matrix, making the collagen dense. This densely packed collagen, morphing into an inelastic whitish collagen scar wall, blocks off cell communication and regeneration; as a result, the new tissue generated will have a different texture and quality than the surrounding unwounded tissue. This prolonged collagen-producing process results in
315-493: A few years. Scars form differently based on the location of the injury on the body and the age of the person who was injured. The worse the initial damage is, the worse the scar will generally be. Skin scars occur when the dermis (the deep, thick layer of skin) is damaged. Most skin scars are flat and leave a trace of the original injury that caused them. Wounds allowed to heal secondarily tend to scar worse than wounds from primary closure. An injury does not become
378-621: A form of body art within some cultures and subcultures. These forms of ritual and non-ritual scarring practices can be found in many groups and cultures around the world. First attested in English in the late 14th century, the word scar derives from a conflation of Old French escharre , from Late Latin eschara , which is the Latinisation of the Greek ἐσχάρα ( eskhara ), meaning "hearth, fireplace", but in medicine "scab, eschar on
441-415: A fortuna scar. The scarring is created by fibroblast proliferation, a process that begins with a reaction to the clot. To mend the damage, fibroblasts slowly form the collagen scar. The fibroblast proliferation is circular and cyclically, the fibroblast proliferation lays down thick, whitish collagen inside the provisional and collagen matrix, resulting in the abundant production of packed collagen on
504-518: A heart attack, causes scar formation in the heart muscle, which leads to loss of muscular power and possibly heart failure . However, there are some tissues (e.g. bone ) that can heal without any structural or functional deterioration. All scarring is composed of the same collagen as the tissue it has replaced, but the composition of the scar tissue, compared to the normal tissue, is different. Scar tissue also lacks elasticity unlike normal tissue which distributes fiber elasticity . Scars differ in
567-418: A more or less pigmented disc, the areola . The apex of a normal heart is in the fifth left intercostal space, three and a half inches from the mid-line. Different types of diseases or conditions that affect the chest include pleurisy , flail chest , atelectasis , and the most common condition, chest pain. These conditions can be hereditary or caused by birth defects or trauma . Any condition that lowers
630-498: A random basketweave formation of the collagen fibers found in normal tissue, in fibrosis the collagen cross-links and forms a pronounced alignment in a single direction. This collagen scar tissue alignment is usually of inferior functional quality to the normal collagen randomised alignment. For example, scars in the skin are less resistant to ultraviolet radiation , and sweat glands and hair follicles do not grow back within scar tissues. A myocardial infarction , commonly known as
693-496: A red raised lump on the skin for lighter pigmented skin and the form of dark brown for darker pigmented skin. They usually occur within 4 to 8 weeks following wound infection or wound closure with excess tension and/or other traumatic skin injuries. Keloid scars are a more serious form of excessive scarring, because they can grow indefinitely into large, tumorous (although benign) neoplasms . Hypertrophic scars are often distinguished from keloid scars by their lack of growth outside
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#1732797377258756-430: A scar until the wound has completely healed; this can take many months, or years in the worst pathological cases, such as keloids. To begin to patch the damage, a clot is created; this clot is the beginning process that results in a provisional matrix. In the process, the first layer is a provisional matrix and is not a scar. Over time, the wounded body tissue overexpresses collagen inside the provisional matrix to create
819-431: A symptom of myocardial infarctions ('heart attack'). If this condition is present in the body, discomfort will be felt in the chest that is similar to a heavy weight placed on the body. Sweating, shortness of breath, lightheadedness , and irregular heartbeat may also be experienced. If a heart attack occurs, the bulk of the damage is caused during the first six hours, so getting the proper treatment as quickly as possible
882-522: A type of calcium channel blocker, is considered a candidate drug for the treatment of hypertrophic scars. A study conducted by the Catholic University of Korea concluded that verapamil-releasing silicone gel is effective and is a superior alternative to the conventional silicone gel where decreased median SEI, fibroblast count, and collagen density in all verapamil-added treatment groups were observed. Gross morphologic features suggested that
945-502: A wound caused by burning or otherwise", and Middle English skar ("cut, crack, incision"), which is from Old Norse skarð ("notch, gap"). The conflation helped to form the English meaning. Compare the place name Scarborough for evolution of skarð to scar . Research, before 2009, focused on scar improvements with research into molecular mechanisms. Treatments involving molecular mechanisms including avotermin, ribosomal s6 kinase (RSK), and osteopontin were investigated at
1008-411: Is chest pain . The word thorax comes from the Greek θώραξ thṓrax " breastplate , cuirass , corslet " via Latin : thorax . In humans and other hominids , the thorax is the chest region of the body between the neck and the abdomen , along with its internal organs and other contents. It is mostly protected and supported by the rib cage , spine , and shoulder girdle . The contents of
1071-508: Is also used to lessen the appearance of severe glabella lines, though its effectiveness in this application is debatable. Essentially the process involves separating the skin tissue in the affected area from the deeper scar tissue. This allows the blood to pool under the affected area, eventually causing the deep rolling scar to level off with the rest of the skin area. Once the skin has leveled, treatments such as laser resurfacing , microdermabrasion or chemical peels can be used to smooth out
1134-401: Is blocked and traps air. The blockage may be caused by something inside the bronchus , such as a plug of mucus, a tumour , or an inhaled foreign object such as a coin, piece of food, or a toy. It is possible for something outside of the bronchus to cause the blockage. Pneumothorax is the condition where air or gas can build up in the pleural space. It can occur without a known cause or as
1197-406: Is convenient to apply, and shows enhanced results. A long-term course of corticosteroid injections into the scar may help flatten and soften the appearance of keloid or hypertrophic scars. Topical steroids are ineffective. However, clobetasol propionate can be used as an alternative treatment for keloid scars. Topical steroid applied immediately after fractionated CO 2 laser treatment
1260-404: Is generally felt when deep breaths are taken or during a cough. Another non-cardiac cause of chest pain is atelectasis . It is a condition that occurs when a portion of the lung collapses from being airless. When bronchial tubes are blocked, this condition develops and causes patients to feel shortness of breath. The most common cause of atelectasis is when a bronchi that extends from the windpipe
1323-469: Is however very effective (and more efficacious than laser treatment alone) and has shown benefit in numerous clinical studies. Scar revision is a process of cutting the scar tissue out. After the excision, the new wound is usually closed up to heal by primary intention , instead of secondary intention . Deeper cuts need a multilayered closure to heal optimally, otherwise depressed or dented scars can result. Surgical excision of hypertrophic or keloid scars
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#17327973772581386-526: Is important. Some people, especially those who are elderly or have diabetes, may not have typical chest pain but may have many of the other symptoms of a heart attack. It is important that these patients and their caregivers have a good understanding of heart attack symptoms. Just like with a heart attack, not all chest pain is caused by conditions involving the heart . Chest wall pain can be experienced after an increase in activity. Persons who add exercise to their daily routine generally feel this type of pain at
1449-426: Is often associated to other methods, such as pressotherapy or silicone gel sheeting. Lone excision of keloid scars, however, shows a recurrence rate close to 45%. A clinical study is currently ongoing to assess the benefits of a treatment combining surgery and laser-assisted healing in hypertrophic or keloid scars. Subcision is a process used to treat deep rolling scars left behind by acne or other skin diseases. It
1512-495: Is often associated with acne, chickenpox , other diseases (especially Staphylococcus infection), surgery, certain insect and spider bites, or accidents. It can also be caused by a genetic connective tissue disorder, such as Ehlers–Danlos syndrome . Stretch marks (technically called striae ) are also a form of scarring. These are caused when the skin is stretched rapidly (for instance during pregnancy , significant weight gain , or adolescent growth spurts ), or when skin
1575-442: Is put under tension during the healing process (usually near joints ). This type of scar usually improves in appearance after a few years. Elevated corticosteroid levels are implicated in striae development. Humans and other placental mammals have an umbilical scar (commonly referred to as a navel ) which starts to heal when the umbilical cord is cut after birth. Egg-laying animals have an umbilical scar which, depending on
1638-534: Is sometimes used to prevent recurrence of severe keloid and hypertrophic scarring. It is thought to be effective despite a lack of clinical trials, but only used in extreme cases due to the perceived risk of long-term side effects. Silicone scar treatments are commonly used in preventing scar formation and improving existing scar appearance. A meta-study by the Cochrane collaboration found weak evidence that silicone gel sheeting helps prevent scarring. However,
1701-399: Is sunken, because the collagen bundles do not overextend the tissue. Stretch marks (striae) are regarded as scars by some. High melanin levels and either African or Asian ancestry may make adverse scarring more noticeable. Hypertrophic scars occur when the body overproduces collagen , which causes the scar to be raised above the surrounding skin. Hypertrophic scars take the form of
1764-743: The Engrailed-1 genetic marker. EPFs are the primary contributors to all fibrotic outcomes after wounding. ENFs do not contribute to fibrotic outcomes. Mammalian wounds that involve the dermis of the skin heal by repair, not regeneration (except in 1st trimester inter-uterine wounds and in the regeneration of deer antlers). Full-thickness wounds heal by a combination of wound contracture and edge re-epitheliasation. Partial thickness wounds heal by edge re-epithelialisation and epidermal migration from adnexal structures (hair follicles, sweat glands and sebaceous glands). The site of keratinocyte stem cells remains unknown but stem cells are likely to reside in
1827-498: The basal layer of the epidermis and below the bulge area of hair follicles. The fibroblast involved in scarring and contraction is the myofibroblast , which is a specialized contractile fibroblast. These cells express α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). The myofibroblasts are absent in the first trimester in the embryonic stage where damage heals scar-free; in small incisional or excision wounds less than 2 mm that also heal without scarring; and in adult unwounded tissues where
1890-438: The carbon dioxide laser (CO 2 ) or Er:YAG offer the best results for atrophic and acne scars. Like dermabrasion , ablative lasers work by removing the epidermis. Healing times for ablative therapy are much longer and the risk profile is greater compared to nonablative therapy; however, nonablative therapy offers only minor improvements in cosmetic appearance of atrophic and acne scars. Low-dose, superficial radiotherapy
1953-443: The shoulders and chest . Hypertrophic scars and keloids tend to be more common in wounds closed by secondary intention. Surgical removal of keloid is risky and may exacerbate the condition and worsening of the keloid. An atrophic scar takes the form of a sunken recess in the skin, which has a pitted appearance. These are caused when underlying structures supporting the skin, such as fat or muscle , are lost. This type of scarring
Scar (disambiguation) - Misplaced Pages Continue
2016-458: The "thoracic skeleton" is a component of the axial skeleton . It consists of the ribs and sternum . The ribs of the thorax are numbered in ascending order from 1–12. 11 and 12 are known as floating ribs because they have no anterior attachment point in particular the cartilage attached to the sternum, as 1 through 7 are, and therefore are termed "floating". Whereas ribs 8 through 10 are termed false ribs as their costal cartilage articulates with
2079-834: The ability to either breathe deeply or to cough is considered a chest disease or condition. Injury to the chest (also referred to as chest trauma, thoracic injury, or thoracic trauma) results in up to 1 / 4 of all deaths due to trauma in the United States. The major pathophysiologies encountered in blunt chest trauma involve derangements in the flow of air, blood, or both in combination. Sepsis due to leakage of alimentary tract contents, as in esophageal perforations, also must be considered. Blunt trauma commonly results in chest wall injuries (e.g., rib fractures). The pain associated with these injuries can make breathing difficult, and this may compromise ventilation. Direct lung injuries, such as pulmonary contusions (see
2142-438: The amounts of collagen overexpressed. Labels have been applied to the differences in overexpression. Two of the most common types are hypertrophic and keloid scarring, both of which experience excessive stiff collagen bundled growth overextending the tissue, blocking off regeneration of tissues. Another form is atrophic scarring (sunken scarring), which also has an overexpression of collagen blocking regeneration. This scar type
2205-429: The beginning. It is important to monitor the pain to ensure that it is not a sign of something more serious. Pain can also be experienced in persons who have an upper respiratory infection . This virus is also accompanied by a fever and cough. Shingles is another viral infection that can give symptoms of chest or rib pain before a rash develops. Injuries to the rib cage or sternum is also a common cause of chest pain. It
2268-421: The cause of the pain. While cardiac issues cause feelings of sudden pressure in the chest or a crushing pain in the back, neck, and arms, pain that is felt due to noncardiac issues gives a burning feeling along the digestive tract or pain when deep breaths are attempted. Different people feel pains differently for the same condition. Only a patient truly knows if the symptoms are mild or serious. Chest pain may be
2331-418: The chest does not correspond to that part of the thoracic skeleton that encloses the heart and lungs . All the breadth of the shoulders is due to the shoulder girdle, and contains the axillae and the heads of the humeri . In the middle line the suprasternal notch is seen above, while about three fingers' breadth below it a transverse ridge can be felt, which is known as the sternal angle and this marks
2394-480: The combination of verapamil and silicone improves the overall quality of hypertrophic scars by reducing scar height and redness. This was verified with quantifiable histomorphometric parameters; however, oral verapamil is not a good choice because of its effect of lowering blood pressure. Intralesional injection of verapamil is also suboptimal because of the required frequency for injections. Topical silicone gel combined with verapamil does not lead to systemic hypotension,
2457-418: The costal cartilage of the rib above. The thorax bones also have the main function of protecting the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels in the thorax area, such as the aorta . The anatomy of the chest can also be described through the use of anatomical landmarks . The nipple in the male is situated in front of the fourth rib or a little below; vertically it lies a little external to a line drawn down from
2520-440: The epidermis in a controlled manner, leading to exfoliation and the alleviation of certain skin conditions, including superficial acne scars. Various chemicals can be used depending upon the depth of the peel, and caution should be used, particularly for dark-skinned individuals and those individuals susceptible to keloid formation or with active infections. Filler injections of collagen can be used to raise atrophic scars to
2583-400: The exception of very minor lesions , every wound (e.g., after accident , disease , or surgery ) results in some degree of scarring. An exception to this are animals with complete regeneration , which regrow tissue without scar formation. Scar tissue is composed of the same protein ( collagen ) as the tissue that it replaces, but the fiber composition of the protein is different; instead of
Scar (disambiguation) - Misplaced Pages Continue
2646-406: The extinct trilobites , the thorax is one of the three main divisions of the body, each in turn composed of multiple segments. The human thorax includes the thoracic cavity and the thoracic wall . It contains organs including the heart , lungs , and thymus gland, as well as muscles and various other internal structures. Many diseases may affect the chest, and one of the most common symptoms
2709-414: The extinct trilobites , the thorax is one of the three main divisions of the creature's body, each of which is in turn composed of multiple segments. It is the area where the wings and legs attach in insects, or an area of multiple articulating plates in trilobites. In most insects, the thorax itself is composed of three segments; the prothorax , the mesothorax , and the metathorax . In extant insects,
2772-410: The fibers giving scars their uneven texture. Over time, the fibroblasts continue to crawl around the matrix, adjusting more fibers and, in the process, the scarring settles and becomes stiff. This fibroblast proliferation also contracts the tissue. In unwounded tissue, these fibers are not overexpressed with thick collagen and do not contract. EPF and ENF fibroblasts have been genetically traced with
2835-421: The fibroblast in itself is arrested; however, the myofibroblast is found in massive numbers in adult wound healing which heals with a scar. The myofibroblasts make up a high proportion of the fibroblasts proliferating in the postembryonic wound at the onset of healing. In the rat model, for instance, myofibroblasts can constitute up to 70% of the fibroblasts, and is responsible for fibrosis on tissue. Generally,
2898-434: The functional thorax is composed of four segments, and is therefore typically called the mesosoma to distinguish it from the "thorax" of other insects. Each thoracic segment in an insect is further subdivided into various parts, the most significant of which are the dorsal portion (the notum ), the lateral portion (the pleuron ; one on each side), and the ventral portion (the sternum ). In some insects, each of these parts
2961-445: The image below), are frequently associated with major chest trauma and may impair ventilation by a similar mechanism. Chest pain can be the result of multiple issues, including respiratory problems, digestive issues, and musculoskeletal complications. The pain can trigger cardiac issues as well. Not all pain that is felt is associated with the heart, but it should not be taken lightly either. Symptoms can be different depending on
3024-402: The junction between the manubrium and body of the sternum . Level with this line the second ribs join the sternum, and when these are found the lower ribs can often be counted. At the lower part of the sternum, where the seventh or last true ribs join it, the ensiform cartilage begins, and above this there is often a depression known as the pit of the stomach . The bones of the thorax, called
3087-439: The level of surrounding skin. Risks vary based upon the filler used, and can include further disfigurement and allergic reaction . Nonablative lasers, such as the 585 nm pulsed dye laser , 1064 nm and 1320 nm Nd:YAG , or the 1540 nm Er:Glass are used as laser therapy for hypertrophic scars and keloids. There is tentative evidence for burn scars that they improve the appearance. Ablative lasers such as
3150-514: The lung or as a shortness of breath. In mammals , the thorax is the region of the body formed by the sternum , the thoracic vertebrae , and the ribs . It extends from the neck to the diaphragm , and does not include the upper limbs . The heart and the lungs reside in the thoracic cavity , as well as many blood vessels . The inner organs are protected by the rib cage and the sternum. Thoracic vertebrae are also distinguished in birds , but not in reptiles . In insects , crustaceans , and
3213-406: The middle of the clavicle ; in the female it is not so constant. A little below it the lower limit of the great pectoral muscle is seen running upward and outward to the axilla; in the female this is obscured by the breast , which extends from the second to the sixth rib vertically and from the edge of the sternum to the mid-axillary line laterally. The female nipple is surrounded for half an inch by
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#17327973772583276-498: The myofibroblasts disappear from the wound within 30 days, but can remain in pathological cases in hypertrophy , such as keloids. Myofibroblasts have plasticity and in mice can be transformed into fat cells, instead of scar tissue, via the regeneration of hair follicles. Wounds under 2mm generally do not scar but larger wounds generally do scar. In 2011 it was found that mechanical stress can stimulate scarring and that stress shielding can reduce scarring in wounds. In 2021 it
3339-538: The original wound area, but this commonly taught distinction can lead to confusion. Keloid scars can occur on anyone, but they are most common in dark-skinned people. They can be caused by surgery, cuts, accident, acne or, sometimes, body piercings . In some people, keloid scars form spontaneously. Although they can be a cosmetic problem, keloid scars are only inert masses of collagen and therefore completely harmless and not cancerous. However, they can be itchy or painful in some individuals. They tend to be most common on
3402-417: The prothorax never has wings, though legs are always present in adults; wings (when present) are restricted to at least the mesothorax, and typically also the metathorax, though the wings may be reduced or modified on either or both segments. In the apocritan Hymenoptera , the first abdominal segment is fused to the metathorax, where it forms a structure known as the propodeum . Accordingly, in these insects,
3465-415: The regulation of body temperature. Elastic fibers are generally not detected in scar tissue younger than 3 months old. In scars, rete pegs are lost; through a lack of rete pegs, scars tend to shear easier than normal tissue. The endometrium , the inner lining of the uterus, is the only adult tissue to undergo rapid cyclic shedding and regeneration without scarring, shedding and restoring roughly inside
3528-413: The result of a lung disease or acute lung injury. The size of the pneumothorax changes as air or gas builds up, so a medical procedure can release the pressure with a needle. If it is untreated, blood flow can be interrupted and cause a drop in blood pressure known as tension pneumothorax. It is possible for smaller cases to clear up on their own. Symptoms of this condition are often felt only on one side of
3591-443: The scarred tissue. Research shows the use of vitamin E and onion extract (sold as Mederma ) as treatments for scars is ineffective. Vitamin E causes contact dermatitis in up to 33% of users and in some cases it may worsen scar appearance and could cause minor skin irritations, but Vitamin C and some of its esters fade the dark pigment associated with some scars. The permanence of scarring has led to its intentional use as
3654-632: The species, may remain visible for life or disappear within a few days after birth. A scar is the product of the body's repair mechanism after tissue injury. If a wound heals quickly within two weeks with new formation of skin, minimal collagen will be deposited and no scar will form. When the extracellular matrix senses elevated mechanical stress loading, tissue will scar, and scars can be limited by stress shielding wounds. Small full thickness wounds under 2mm reepithelize fast and heal scar free. Deep second-degree burns heal with scarring and hair loss . Sweat glands do not form in scar tissue, which impairs
3717-446: The studies examining it were of poor quality and susceptible to bias. Pressure dressings are commonly used in managing burn and hypertrophic scars, although supporting evidence is lacking. Care providers commonly report improvements, however, and pressure therapy has been effective in treating ear keloids. The general acceptance of the treatment as effective may prevent it from being further studied in clinical trials. Verapamil ,
3780-453: The thorax include the heart and lungs (and the thymus gland); the major and minor pectoral muscles, trapezius muscles , and neck muscle; and internal structures such as the diaphragm , the esophagus , the trachea , and a part of the sternum known as the xiphoid process . Arteries and veins are also contained – ( aorta , superior vena cava , inferior vena cava and the pulmonary artery ); bones (the shoulder socket containing
3843-615: The time. After successful phase I/II trials , human recombinant TGF-β3 (avotermin, planned trade name Juvista) failed in Phase III trials. In 2011, the scientific literature highlighted stress shielding a fresh wound through the wound healing process, brings significant scar improvement and smaller scars. By 2016, skin had been regenerated in vivo and in vitro . and scar-free healing had been operationalized and induced by four main regeneration techniques: by instrument, by materials, by drugs, and by in vitro 3-D printing. In 2018,
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#17327973772583906-414: The upper part of the humerus , the scapula , sternum , thoracic portion of the spine , collarbone , and the rib cage and floating ribs ). External structures are the skin and nipples . In the human body , the region of the thorax between the neck and diaphragm in the front of the body is called the chest. The corresponding area in an animal can also be referred to as the chest. The shape of
3969-445: Was found that using chemicals to manipulate fibroblasts to not sense mechanical stress brought scar-free healing. The scar-free healing also occurred when mechanical stress was placed onto a wound. Early and effective treatment of acne scarring can prevent severe acne and the scarring that often follows. In 2004, no prescription drugs for the treatment or prevention of scars were available. Chemical peels are chemicals which destroy
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