Chest and Abdomen: Anatomy, Injuries, and Respiratory System

2. Chapter 22 The Chest and Abdomen

3. Objectives • Upon completion of this chapter, you should be able to: • Describe the anatomy of the thoracic cavity • Describe the structures and functions of the organs of respiration • Explain the breathing and respiratory process

4. Objectives (cont’d.) • Upon completion of this chapter, you should be able to (cont’d.): • Discuss the significance of chest and abdominal injuries • List and describe the various injuries associated with the thoracic cavity • List and describe the various injuries associated with the abdominal cavity

5. The Respiratory System • Obtains oxygen for use by body cells • Eliminates carbon dioxide produced in cellular respiration

6. The Respiratory System (cont’d.) • Air moves into the lungs through passageways: • Nasal cavity • Pharynx • Larynx • Trachea • Bronchi • Bronchioles • Alveoli

7. Respiration • Process by which body supplies cells and tissues with oxygen for metabolism and relieves them of carbon dioxide • External respiration • Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between lungs and outside environment • Internal respiration • Exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen between cells and lymph, plus oxidative process of energy in cells (cellular respiration)

8. Animation - Respiration Click Here to Play Respiration Animation

9. Control of Breathing • Rate of breathing is controlled by neural (nervous) and chemical factors • Same goal but function independently • Chemical control of respiration depends on carbon dioxide level in the blood • Chemoreceptors in carotid arteries and aorta are sensitive to blood oxygen levels

10. Lung Capacity and Volume • Factors: • Tidal volume • Inspiratory reserve volume • Expiratory reserve volume • Vital lung capacity • Residual volume • Functional residual capacity • Total lung capacity

11. Disorders of the Respiratory System • Asthma • Muscles around airways tightenand airway lining swells and gets clogged with thick mucus • Symptoms: coughing, wheezing, dyspnea (difficulty in breathing), and chest tightness • Treatment: varies

12. Asthma Click Here to Play Asthma Animation

13. Chest (Thorax) Injuries • Rib contusions • Caused by a forceful blow to the ribcage that bruises intercostal muscle • Rib fractures • Break in bony structure of thorax • Most often the result of a direct blow to the ribcage

14. Chest (Thorax) Injuries (cont’d.) • Chest contusions • Bruising over central area of chest • Results from a compressive, forceful blow to the body • Myocardial contusion and aortic rupture • Occurs if force applied to sternum is great enough to compress the heart against the spin

15. Chest (Thorax) Injuries (cont’d.) • Sudden death syndrome • Usually caused by some form of heart disease • Pneumothorax • Occurs when air enters thoracic cavity between the chest wall and lung • Sucking chest wound • Spontaneous pneumothorax • Tension pneumothorax

16. Chest (Thorax) Injuries (cont’d.) • Hemopneumothorax • Can occur with both open and closed chest injuries • Often accompanies a pneumothorax • Blood accumulates in pleural space between chest wall and lung • Pulmonary contusion • Bruise on lung caused by a direct blow

17. Chest (Thorax) Injuries (cont’d.) • Blows to the solar plexus • “Having the wind knocked out” • Hyperventilation • Breathing at a rate faster than required for proper exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide • Side stitches • Occur during vigorous exercises • Usually with novice exercisers

18. Injury Prevention for the Chest • Begins with proper equipment and education • Good, well-maintained, equipment that fits properly will reduce chance of injury • At risk athletes should wear additional protection • Education and use of proper techniques can also minimize risk of trauma

19. The Abdominopelvic Cavity • One large cavity, with no separation between the abdomen and pelvis • Abdominal cavity contains: stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, small intestine, appendix, and part of the large intestines • Kidneys are close to but behind abdominal cavity • Pelvic cavity contains: urinary bladder, reproductive organs, rectum, remainder of large intestine, and appendix

20. Protection of the Abdominal Organs • Abdominal area is vulnerable to injury • Muscular abdominal wall is most commonly involved • Injury to contents of abdominal cavity are infrequent • Musculature of abdominal wall provides adequate protection from most injuries • Serious injuries to the intra-abdominal contents occur and can be life threatening

21. Organs of the Abdominopelvic Cavity • Include: • Stomach • Small intestine • Pancreas • Liver • Gallbladder • Urinary bladder • Large intestine • Cecum and Appendix • Ascending, transverse, and descending colon • Kidneys • Medulla and cortex • Nephron • Ureters

22. Abdominal Injuries • Kidney contusion • Uncommon in athletics • Occurs with a violent blow to upper posterior abdominal wall • Liver contusion • Uncommon but probable life-threatening injury • Occurs with a hard blow to right side of ribcage

23. Abdominal Injuries (cont’d.) • Spleen injuries • Treat as medical emergency • Results from a blow to the left upper quadrant, lower left ribcage, or left side of the back • Hernias • Protrusion of abdominal tissue through a portion of the abdominal wall

24. Conclusion • The chest and abdomen contain the body’s vital organs • Organs in the chest are protected by the ribcage • Chest contains the heart and lungs • Abdomen contains kidneys, liver, spleen, stomach, urinary bladder, intestines, among others

25. Conclusion (cont’d.) • Chest and abdominal injuries are uncommon in athletics, but do occur • Most internal organs are very vascular and can bleed profusely if injured • Proper recognition and treatment of these injuries are vital to the health and well-being of the athlete