Gunshot wounds

Abstract

Wounds caused by high-velocity projectiles are different from those caused by low-velocity projectiles. High-velocity bullets, such as those fired from deer-hunting rifles, cause large temporary cavities as they pass through tissue, producing extensive damage to adjacent structures that were not touched by the bullet. Essentially all of the damage caused by low-velocity bullets, such as those fired from most handguns, occurs in structures touched by the bullet.