FLAIL CHEST Meaning and
Definition
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Flail chest is a medical condition characterized by the fracture of multiple adjacent ribs, leading to a segment of the chest wall becoming detached or dislodged from the rest of the thoracic cage. This condition often occurs as a result of severe trauma or injury, such as from a high-velocity car accident or a fall from a significant height.
The detachment of a portion of the chest wall creates a paradoxical movement during breathing, as the affected section moves inward during inspiration and outward during expiration, in contrast to the normal chest wall movement. This paradoxical movement of the flail segment disrupts the normal mechanics of breathing and impairs the effective exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs. Consequently, the affected individual may exhibit signs of respiratory distress, such as shortness of breath, rapid shallow breathing, and decreased oxygen saturation.
Flail chest can also give rise to other complications, including lung contusions, pneumothorax (collapsed lung), and hemothorax (collection of blood in the chest cavity). These additional injuries further exacerbate respiratory compromise and may necessitate immediate medical intervention, such as chest tube placement or surgical stabilization of the chest wall.
To diagnose flail chest, healthcare professionals utilize clinical evaluation, a physical examination, and diagnostic imaging techniques such as chest X-rays or computed tomography (CT) scans. Treatment generally focuses on stabilizing the affected chest segment to restore normal chest wall movement and ensure adequate ventilation. This may involve pain management, oxygen supplementation, mechanical ventilation, and surgical interventions, such as the insertion of plates or fixation devices to stabilize the fractured ribs and chest wall.
Common Misspellings for FLAIL CHEST
- dlail chest
- clail chest
- vlail chest
- glail chest
- tlail chest
- rlail chest
- fkail chest
- fpail chest
- foail chest
- flzil chest
- flsil chest
- flwil chest
- flqil chest
- flaul chest
- flajl chest
- flakl chest
- flaol chest
- fla9l chest
- fla8l chest
- flaik chest
Etymology of FLAIL CHEST
The word "flail chest" originates from the combination of two terms: "flail" and "chest".
1. Flail: The term "flail" is derived from the Old English word "flegel", which means a type of tool or instrument used for threshing grains. It later evolved to "flail", referring to a device consisting of a wooden handle attached to a freely swinging stick or bar, often used for farming purposes. The swinging motion of the flail is characterized by an uncontrolled, chaotic movement, which is similar to the movement of the chest during a flail chest injury.
2. Chest: The word "chest" comes from the Old English word "cist" or "ciest", which initially referred to a container or a box. Over time, it acquired the specific meaning of the upper front part of the human body that encloses the heart and lungs.
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