Talking about a Fractured Clavicle

Level : 2nd year

Instructor : Mariem Lioune

The Emergency Department: talking about

a fractured clavicle
Activity 1:

Label the diagram using the terms below

Clavicle, sternum, acromion, scapula, xiphoid process, rib, humerus, manubrium

Activity 2

Match the terms with their meaning.

1. clavicle a) lower part of the breastbone that eventually fuses with it in middle age

2. sternum b) square-shaped upper part of the sternum

1
 Talking about a Fractured Clavicle
Level : 2nd year
Instructor : Mariem Lioune

3. manubrium c) collarbone: long bone which connects the scapula to the sternum

4. xiphoid
d) breastbone: narrow bone which forms the centre of the chest
process

5. ribs e) largest bone of the arm and only bone of the upper arm

6. scapula f) long, curved bones which protect the chest organs

g) bone at the top of the shoulder which joins the clavicle at the
7. humerus
acromioclavicular joint

8. acromion h) shoulder blade: flat, triangular bone on the upper back of the body

Activity 3

Complete the information using the words below to help you.

Movement, outstretched, circles, scapulae, acromion, bones, broken, shape

The clavicles are long (1) ____________ which join the scapula to the sternum. The cylinder-
shaped bones are around 15 cm long and curved into an (2) ____________. The
clavicles form joints with both the sternum and the (3) ____________. The sternoclavicular
joint joins with the manubrium and the acromioclavicular (AC) joint joins with the (4)
____________.

The clavicles help to anchor the arms to the trunk without stopping (5) ____________ of the
shoulder joints. In fact, the clavicles allow sufficient movement of the shoulders for the arms
to move in large (6) ____________.

2
 Talking about a Fractured Clavicle
Level : 2nd year
Instructor : Mariem Lioune

The clavicle is one of the most commonly (7) ____________ bones in the human body
especially after a fall. If the arm is (8) ____________ to try to break the fall, most of the force
of the fall results in the shifting of the shoulder. This can easily fracture the clavicle.

Activity 4 Asking about an accident

Watch the YouTube video

Answer the questions below.

1. How did the patient injure himself?

2. What part of his body does he think he has injured?

3. How did the patient get to the Emergency Department?

4. What treatment will the patient receive?

Activity 5 Treatment of Collar Bone Injuries

Complete the patient information leaflet below using the verbs below to help you.

Wear, align, reduce, heal, support, regain, confirms, breaks.

Collarbones usually (1) __________ without the need for surgery. Surgery is only
necessary if the collar bone (2) __________ through the skin or if the bones do not (3) -
__________ properly.

3
 Talking about a Fractured Clavicle
Level : 2nd year
Instructor : Mariem Lioune

If an X-ray (4) __________ that you have a broken collar bone or not, you need to use a
figure of 8 sling to (5) __________ your arm and hold the collar bones together in their
normal positions. You must (6) __________ the sling all day and at night.

Collar bones take between 6 and 8 weeks to heal. It can take much longer to (7)
__________ full strength and movement in your shoulder. As the fracture is healing, you
may notice a small lump along the collarbone. The lump will often (8) __________ over
the following months.