Shark Attack

1. Identify at least five organ systems in this region of the arm that the surgeon would have marked for reattachment.

Cardiovascular, Integumentary, Muscular, Skeletal, Circulatory

2. List the names of the specific structures that had to be reattached.

Humerus, all veins and arteries running to the arm, biceps, triceps, deltoids, trapezius, pectoral muscles, and all the skin connecting the shoulder and arm

3. What organ system was most likely not reattached? Explain.

The nervous system was most likely not reattached. It would be impossible to reattach all the nerves in the arm. Some of the nerves would have died on the way to the hospital. This is why Jim will most likely never regain full control of his arm.

4. Why was a clean bite so important?

If the shark had ripped and shredded at the muscles, veins, or arteries, it would be much more difficult to reattach the muscular and cardiovascular systems. A clean bite created clean lines and the surgeon could reattach things more easily.

5. Why was the bone shortened?

The joint would have to be completely reconfigured. The arm would have to be cut to make a perfectly flat and smooth surface to reattach. These would both cause a slight shortening of the bone.

6. Identify the movements associated with the arm, forearm, wrist, and fingers.

Flexion: bending the elbow, clenching the hand into a fists

Extension: pull forearm back down after flexing, extend fingers

Abduction: spreading fingers apart, deltoid

Adduction: dropping the arms to the sides, closing the fingers

7. Explain how the movements of the reattached arm might be altered after the reattachment.

Raising the arm would be very difficult, because deltoid motion will probably be extremely limited seeing as how that is the main muscle affected by the arm being bitten off. The range of motion in flexion and extension will probably also be decreased simply because of decreased muscle cognition.

8. Define collateral circulation and...