Extensible Dressings

A wound dressing assembly comprising:

• a. an extensible absorbent body having a longitudinally extending center line, a transversely extending centerline and a periphery, the absorbent body, having a first surface and a second surface, the second surface being opposite the first surface;
• b. a positioning adhesive contacting at least a portion of the second surface of the absorbent body;
• c. an extensible backing layer adhered to the second surface of the absorbent body by the positioning adhesive such that directional extension of the backing layer causes a corresponding directional extension of the second surface of the absorbent body;
• and
• d. a wound contacting layer which is less extensible than the absorbent body, the wound contacting layer disposed on the first surface of the absorbent body such that the second surface of the absorbent body extends upon corresponding extension of the backing layer.