The costal angle should be less than 90 degrees; larger than 90 degrees suggests what?

Study for the Holistic Exam 4. Dive into questions with detailed explanations. Embrace your holistic learning journey to ensure success!

Multiple Choice

The costal angle should be less than 90 degrees; larger than 90 degrees suggests what?

Explanation:
An increased costal angle indicates hyperinflation of the lungs, producing a barrel-shaped chest. In this condition, the ribs sit more horizontally and the lower costal margins flare outward, widening the angle beyond 90 degrees. A normal chest keeps the angle under 90 degrees. Pleurisy mainly causes chest pain and shallow breathing, not a widened costal angle, and pectus carinatum is a chest-wall deformity that changes contour differently and isn’t the classic cause of an enlarged costal angle.

An increased costal angle indicates hyperinflation of the lungs, producing a barrel-shaped chest. In this condition, the ribs sit more horizontally and the lower costal margins flare outward, widening the angle beyond 90 degrees. A normal chest keeps the angle under 90 degrees. Pleurisy mainly causes chest pain and shallow breathing, not a widened costal angle, and pectus carinatum is a chest-wall deformity that changes contour differently and isn’t the classic cause of an enlarged costal angle.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy