Blue Boxes Flashcards
Causes of chest pain
pulmonary disease, cardiac disease, intestinal, gallbladder, or musculoskeletal disorders
What disorder causes crushing substernal pain?
heart attack
Multiple rib fractures may allow segment of anterior and/or lateral thoracic wall to move freely. Loose segment of wall moves paradoxically (in on inspiration and out on expiration). Extremely painful, impairs ventilation and thereby oxygenation of blood. During treatment loose segment may be fixed by hooks
Flail chest
Least frequently fractured rib and why?
short, broad, 1st rib, posteroinferior to clavicle so its protected and hard to palpate, if it is broken structures crossing over superior aspect may be injured (brachial plexus and subclavian vessels)
Most commonly fractured rib or ribs?and how?
middle ribs, usually from blows and crushing injuries, weakest part is anterior to its angle, broken end may injure internal organs (lungs or spleen)
Fractures of lower ribs may tear diaphragm this is called?
diaphragmatic hernia
What is a thoracotomy?
surgical creation of an opening through the thoracic wall to enter pleural cavity
Sometimes a wide segment of rib is excised during a thoracotomy. This is sometimes needed to remove a lung. This is called?
pneumonectomy
usually have 12 ribs, number is increased by presence of cervical or lumbar ribs, or decreased failure of 12th to form. extra ribs are called?
supernumerary ribs
Costal cartilage can become ____ as they age and ____ making them more brittle.
radiopaque, calcification
In 40’s some patients consult physician about hard lump in there upper abdomen, (epigastirc fossa)
ossified xiphoid process
Sternal fractures are not common. Can be caused by what?
Crush injury after traumatic compression, like the chest being forced into the steering column. air bags have reduced this.
A fracture of the sternal body is called what?
comminuted fracture (break resulting in several pieces) displacement uncommon because of deep fascia
What causes a dislocation in the manubriosternal joint in the elderly?
a fracture at the sternal angle where the joint is fused.
What is the biggest concern in a sternal injury?
likelihood of heart injury i.e. myocardial contusion, cardiac rupture, tamponade) or lung injury. Mortality rate 25-45% largely due to the above
To gain access to thoracic cavity for procedures the sternum is split in half in median plane and retracted. This is called?
median sternotomy, flexibilty of ribs and cartilage allow for this.
Because of breadth and subcutaneous position the sternum is often used for?
bone marrow needle biopsy, commonly used for transplantation and for detetction of metastatic cancer and blood dyscrasias (abnormalities)
Sternum develops through fusion of bilateral and vertical condensation of precartilaginous tissue what?
sternal bands or bars
Halves of the sternum of fetus may not fuse. If complete what happens?
sternal cleft. heart may protrude (ectopia cordis)
Sometimes a sternal perforation remains in sternal body because of incomplete fusion. This is called?
sternal foramen, not clinically significant
What is pectus excavatum or funnel chest?
receding sternum
What is pectus cavinatum or pigeon breast?
projecting sternum
Another name for superior thoracic aperature.
Anatomists say thoracic inlet, clinicians say sometimes the thoracic outlet
An obstruction outside the aperature in the root of the neck and the manifestation of syndromes of upper limbs. usually damage to arteries and/or t1 spinal nerves as the exit the thoracic aperature. This is referred to sometimes as?
thoracic outlet syndrome