Flail chest

Flail Chest

Flail chest (pronounced: /fleɪl tʃɛst/) is a serious medical condition that occurs when a segment of the rib cage breaks due to trauma and becomes detached from the rest of the chest wall.

Etymology

The term "flail chest" originates from the word "flail," which refers to a type of tool used for threshing grain. In this context, it is used to describe the way the detached portion of the rib cage moves independently from the rest of the chest wall, similar to the way a flail moves independently from its handle.

Symptoms

Symptoms of flail chest can include severe pain, difficulty breathing, and an abnormal chest movement. This abnormal movement, known as paradoxical respiration, occurs when the flail segment moves in the opposite direction to the rest of the chest wall during breathing.

Causes

Flail chest is usually caused by a severe blunt force trauma to the chest, such as that experienced in a car accident or a fall from a significant height. It can also occur as a result of a severe cough or from certain medical procedures.

Treatment

Treatment for flail chest typically involves stabilizing the chest wall and ensuring the patient can breathe adequately. This can involve the use of pain relief, oxygen therapy, and in severe cases, surgery to repair the broken ribs.

Related Terms

• Rib cage
• Paradoxical respiration
• Cough
• Trauma

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Flail chest
• Wikipedia's article - Flail chest

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