Massachusetts State Board Esthetics Practice Exam

What term refers to dead cells formed over a wound during the healing process?

1. Crust

2. Scale

3. Scar

4. Fissure

The correct answer is: Crust

The term "crust" accurately describes the dead cells that accumulate over a wound during the healing process. When tissue gets damaged, a protective layer forms as part of the body’s natural healing response. This crust is primarily composed of dried serum, blood, and cellular debris and acts as a barrier against pathogens, allowing the underlying tissue to heal. In contrast, scales are typically associated with dry, flaky patches of skin and are not a direct result of wound healing. Scars represent the fibrous tissue that replaces normal skin after an injury has healed and often indicates that the injury has fully healed rather than referring to the immediate protective layer. Fissures are cracks or splits in the skin, often related to dryness or injury, but do not represent the dead cellular layer formed during the wound healing process. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in esthetics and skincare, particularly for identifying and addressing various skin conditions.