Adhesion

Adhesion, in Pathology, a vital union between two surfaces of a living body which have been either naturally or artificially separated. In the healing of Wounds (q.v.), it is usually an altogether beneficial process; though even in this case it may cause deformity—e.g. when adjacent surfaces of two fingers are allowed to become united by adhesion after a burn. After injuries to joints, adhesion frequently takes place between the injured structures and those adjoining, which may cause subsequent stiffness. Adhesion is a frequent consequence of inflammation of serous and synovial membranes—e.g. Pleurisy (q.v.) may cause adhesion of the lung to the chest-wall; Inflammation (q.v.) of a bursa or sac may lead to its obliteration by adhesion of its opposing surfaces. In inflammation of mucous membranes it is rare.