Perineal tear
Perineal Tear
A Perineal Tear (pronounced: puh-rih-nee-uhl tehr) is a laceration of the skin and other soft tissue structures which, in women, separate the vagina and the anus. Perineal tears mainly occur in women as a result of childbirth.
Etymology
The term "Perineal" is derived from the late Latin word "perinaeum" and from the Greek word "perinaion" (περίναιον), meaning 'space between'. The term "tear" comes from the Old English word "teran", which means 'to tear, lacerate'.
Grades of Perineal Tear
Perineal tears are classified into four grades, depending on their severity:
- First-degree tears - These are small, skin-deep tears which often heal naturally.
- Second-degree tears - These are deeper and affect the muscle of the perineum, requiring stitches.
- Third-degree tears - These tears extend into the muscle that controls the anus (anal sphincter).
- Fourth-degree tears - These are the most severe form of perineal tear, extending further into the tissues and lining of the anus or rectum.
Related Terms
- Episiotomy - A surgical cut made at the opening of the vagina during childbirth to aid a difficult delivery and prevent rupture of tissues.
- Perineum - The area between the anus and the scrotum in men and between the anus and the vulva in women.
- Childbirth - The process of delivering a baby and the placenta, membranes, and umbilical cord from the uterus to the vagina to the outside world.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Perineal tear
- Wikipedia's article - Perineal tear
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