What describes the condition of a rib that has fractured but remains attached at one end?

A rib that has fractured but remains attached at one end is best described as a flail segment. In this scenario, one or more ribs may break and become displaced, while the other end of the rib stays connected to the chest wall. This situation can lead to ineffective breathing, as the segment of the rib cage moves in the opposite direction during inhalation and exhalation, creating a paradoxical movement.

On the other hand, flail chest involves multiple ribs that have sustained fractures, which causes a larger segment of the thoracic wall to become free-floating rather than just one rib remaining connected. A greenstick fracture refers to a type of fracture commonly seen in children where one side of the bone is broken while the other side bends; hence, it does not accurately describe the rib condition in this case. Tension pneumothorax is a separate condition that occurs when air trapped in the pleural space creates pressure, potentially affecting lung function, but is not directly related to rib fractures. Thus, the term flail segment appropriately captures the specific description of a single fractured rib still attached at one end.