Related articles: Barrel chest
Definition
The barrel chest is a pathological conformation in which the thoracic cage is dilated in the lower part, in a permanent inspiratory position. To be enlarged, in particular, is the anteroposterior diameter, whereby the lower chest appears deeper than normal.
The barrel chest is a typical sign of advanced forms of pulmonary emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis.
The increase in the antero-posterior diameter of the chest is also found in patients with asthma that has not been controlled for a long time. Even in long-standing acromegaly, costal cartilage growth can lead to a barrel chest.
The barrel thorax can be associated with the forward flexion of the sternum, the lordosis of the dorso-lumbar spine and the hypertrophy of the auxiliary respiratory muscles.
Barrel chest in a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - Taken from: //sterilegauze.tumblr.com/
Possible Causes * of Barrel Thorax
- Acromegaly
- Asthma
- COPD
- Emphysema
- Cystic fibrosis
- Meconium aspiration syndrome
