abrasion

1. An excoriation, or circumscribed removal of the superficial layers of skin or mucous membrane. SYN: abraded wound. 2. A scraping away of a portion of the surface. 3. In dentistry, the pathological grinding or wearing away of tooth substance by incorrect tooth-brushing methods, foreign objects, bruxism, or similar causes. SYN: grinding. Cf.:attrition. [see abrade]

- brush burn a. brush burn.

- gingival a. a lesion of the gingiva resulting from mechanical removal of a portion of the surface epithelium.

- tooth a. loss or wearing away of tooth structure caused by the abrasive characteristics of substances other than foods.

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abra·sion ə-'brā-zhən n

1) wearing, grinding, or rubbing away by friction

2 a) the rubbing or scraping of the surface layer of cells or tissue from an area of the skin or mucous membrane also a place so abraded

b) the mechanical wearing away of the tooth surfaces by chewing

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n.

1. a graze: a minor wound in which the surface of the skin or a mucous membrane is worn away by rubbing or scraping.

2. the wearing of the teeth, particularly at the necks by overvigorous brushing. It is frequently enhanced by erosion.

3. any rubbing or scraping action that produces surface wear.

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abra·sion (ə-braґzhən) [L. abrasio] 1. the wearing away of a substance or structure (such as the skin or the teeth) through some unusual or abnormal mechanical process. 2. an area of body surface denuded of skin or mucous membrane by such a process.