flail (flāl) exhibiting abnormal or pathologic mobility, as flail chest or flail joint.
flail (fl l)v. 1. To move vigorously or erratically; thrash about. 2. To strike or lash out violently. |
flail
exhibiting abnormal or pathological mobility, as flail chest or flail joint.
flail chest
a loss of stability of the chest wall due to multiple rib fractures or detachment of the sternum from the ribs as a result of a severe crushing chest injury. The loose chest segment moves in a direction which is the reverse of normal; that is, the segment moves inward during inspiration and outward during expiration (paradoxical respiration). Other manifestations of flail chest include shortness of breath, cyanosis, and extreme pain in the area of trauma.
flail joint
an unusually movable joint.
flail segment
the portion of skin, chest-wall or other structure lacking stability.
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