Which temperature indicates the onset of vaporization in tissue?

The onset of vaporization in tissue generally occurs at temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Celsius. This is due to the nature of water in biological tissues, which begins to turn into vapor when it reaches its boiling point at approximately 100 degrees Celsius at standard atmospheric pressure. At this point, the heat energy applied can overcome the intermolecular forces holding the water molecules together, causing the water within the tissue to transition from a liquid to a gaseous state.

When performing laser procedures or any thermal applications to tissue, understanding the temperature at which vaporization starts is critical to effectively manage the procedure. If the temperature increases further, as seen in the case of higher degrees, the vaporization effect becomes more pronounced, leading to various surgical effects targeted in medical treatments.

Other temperatures presented are below the critical threshold for vaporization. For instance, temperatures like those below 50 degrees Celsius do not facilitate significant vaporization, while the 60+ degrees Celsius range is still primarily involved in coagulation and denaturation, not vaporization. Thus, recognizing that the critical temperature for vaporizing tissue is 100 degrees Celsius and higher is essential for effective and safe medical interventions.