What do you call a section of ribs that have been broken and detached from the chest cavity?

A section of ribs that has been broken and detached from the chest cavity is known as a flail segment. This term refers specifically to a segment of the thoracic wall that becomes unstable due to multiple rib fractures, where that portion of the chest wall can move paradoxically, meaning it moves in the opposite direction compared to the rest of the chest during breathing.

When a flail segment occurs, it typically results from multiple rib fractures, which can happen in situations like severe trauma or accidents. This condition can lead to significant respiratory complications, affecting the patient’s ability to breathe effectively. Therefore, recognizing a flail segment's presence is crucial in medical emergencies as it requires immediate intervention to stabilize the chest wall and promote adequate ventilation.

Other terms, such as flail chest, refer to the overall condition where several ribs are broken, while dislocation would refer to a joint issue rather than a rib problem. A pneumatic splint is a device used for stabilizing fractures but does not describe a specific injury to ribs. Understanding these distinctions is important in the context of emergency medical situations.