172 Chapter 7
Common Disease, Disorder, or ConditionDISORDERS OF THE SKELETAL SYSTEM continuedBlack Eye^
A black eye is caused by a blow to the supraorbital ridge, which overlies the frontal
sinus. This results in a skin laceration with bleeding. Tissue fluid and blood accumu-late
in the connective tissue around the eyelid. This swelling, bruising, and discolor-ation
produces a black eye, also called a periorbital ecchymosis or bruise.
Deviated Septum^
A deviated septum develops when the nasal septum shifts to the left (usually) during
normal growth. It can be aggravated by a severe blow to the nasal area. Serious de-
flections can interfere with nasal flow, can cause frequent nose bleeding, or may re-sult
in headaches or shortness of breath. Severe deviation can be corrected through
surgical procedures.
Sinusitis^
Sinusitis is an inflammation of any one or more of the paranasal sinuses: the frontal,
ethmoidal, sphenoidal, and/or the maxillary sinus. This inflammation and swelling of the
mucous membrane blocks drainage from the sinuses to the nose resulting in
accumulation of drainage materials causing pressure, pain, and headache. It is caused
by a number of factors including infections, allergic reactions, and changes in
atmospheric pressure as when flying in a plane or underwater swimming. Treat-ment
includes antibiotics, decongestants, analgesics, and surgery to aid drainage in
individuals with chronic sinusitis.
Whiplash^
A whiplash injury affects the cervical vertebrae and their associated muscles and liga-
ments. It is caused by a violent back-and-forth movement of the neck and head as
experienced in a rear-end car collision or by athletic injuries. It results in severe pain
and stiffness to the neck region- and can produce fractures to the spinous process of
the -cervical vertebrae and/or torn ligaments, tendons, and muscles in this area.
Acromegaly^
Acromegaly is a chronic condition caused by overactivity of the anterior pituitary gland,
resulting in excessive secretions of growth hormone (Figure 7-27). It produces widening
and thickening of the bones of the hands, face, jaws, and feet with ac-companying
tissue enlargement. Developing complications over time include heart disease,
hypertension, excess blood sugar, and atherosclerosis (cholesterol contain-ing plague
in the arteries). Treatment can include radiation or surgical removal of part of the
pituitary gland.
Fractured Clavicle^
A fractured clavicle is the most commonly broken bone in the body. It can occur from
falling when you use your outstretched arm to soften the fall or from excessive force on
the anterior thorax as during an automobile accident when using a shoul-der seat belt
harness. The most common treatment for a fractured clavicle is the use of a
shoulder/arm sling to keep the arm stationary and not allowing it to move out-ward. This
allows the osteoclasts to reabsorb the damaged bone and the osteoblasts to lay down
new bone for repair.