A mark left where damaged tissue has healed. The body repairs a lesion by increasing collagen production at the site of damage. If the edges of a lesion are brought together during healing, a narrow, pale scar forms; if the edges are left apart, more extensive scarring occurs.
A hypertrophic scar is a large, unsightly scar that sometimes develops at the site of an infected wound; some people have a family tendency to develop such scars.
(See also adhesion; keloid.)
The name applied to a healed wound, ulcer or breach of tissue. A scar consists essentially of ?brous tissue, covered by an imperfect formation of epidermis in the case of scars on the surface of the skin. The ?brous tissue is produced by the connective tissue that migrates to the wound in the course of its repair (see WOUNDS). Gradually this ?brous tissue contracts, becomes more dense, and loses its blood vessels, leaving a hard white scar. (See also KELOID.)
n. a permanent mark left after wound healing. A hypertrophic scar is an abnormal raised scar that tends to settle after a year or so, as distinct from a *keloid, which is not only permanent but tends to extend beyond the original wound.
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