What percentage of total body surface does one arm represent in burn assessment?

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Cross-section diagram of human skin showing burn depth by degree, with arrows indicating that first-degree burns affect only the epidermis, second-degree burns reach the dermis, third-degree burns extend into subcutaneous tissue, and fourth-degree burns penetrate to muscle. — burn This diagram shows how burn injuries are classified by severity. First-degree burns damage the outer skin, known as the epidermis. First-degree burns are the least severe form of burn injury. Second-degree burns damage the outer skin and some of the underlying skin, known as the dermis, which also includes some connective tissue. Third-degree burns damage all the layers of skin, including subcutaneous tissue. Fourth-degree burns, which are the most severe, destroy every layer of skin and also damage muscle, tendons, and bones.

In burn assessment, the skin area of each arm represents approximately 9 percent of the body's total surface area.1

This measurement is part of a standard estimation method used by surgeons to determine the extent of a burn, which is a critical factor in evaluating the severity of the injury and the patient's chances of survival.1