Billy is injured during a high school football game. His chest is badly bruised, and he is experiencing difficulty breathing. What might be the problem?

What will be an ideal response?


Billy has probably broken one or more of his ribs. Movement of the ribs changes the size of the thoracic cavity, which is an important part of breathing. When the ribs are broken, breathing can become difficult (labored) because the ribs cannot function properly. It is also possible that the injury caused a rib to pierce one of the lungs, resulting in a condition known as a pneumothorax, or collapsed lung, due to air in the pleural cavity.

Anatomy & Physiology

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