Here is your case-based scenario:
A 13-year-old boy is recovering in the hospital. He was lucky to survive an aortic dissection, in which the lining of his aorta tore, letting blood leave the vessel with each heartbeat. You are obtaining a thorough history from this patient in an attempt to understand why he developed this condition, which is rare in someone this young. The family tells you that he bruises easily. Even when he can’t remember hitting an area, he still finds bruises. His joints are hypermobile (loose-jointed), and he shows you by extending his elbow much farther than it should go. He also has flat feet. You notice that his skin is somewhat translucent, thin, and extremely stretchy. In fact, around his joints, he can pull his skin far out from his body. He reports that he is also prone to lacerations of his skin, meaning that his skin cuts or tears rather easily.
Please discuss/comment on:
The clinical cues that may be potentially relevant
Discuss why you think the cues are relevant
What anatomical structures could be involved
What structures you are most concerned about
Of the structures you provided, why do you think they are related to the clinical cues identified?
The topic covered at this point includes tissues, spinal cord, reflexes, integument and somatosensation, cartilage and bone, intro to articulations and blood & blood vessels. Please stick on on those topics.
