Diploma Thesis THE IMMEDIATE INFLUENCE OF OSTEOPATHIC ...

This means that the above mentioned pathological changes of the thorax and lungs
become more pronounced. The form and function of the whole thorax and spine are
altered considerably due to the changes in the lung tissue and in the balance of the
muscles and fascia: the kyphosis of the thoracic spine increases and the thorax is
fixed in an inspiration position. The deformation of the thoracic cage is also favoured
by the fact that the straight abdominal muscles are too strong in relation to the
oblique abdominal muscles due to the frequent coughing.
Lung damage is the leading cause of death among CF patients 13 .
Figure 5 - CF lung at www.meddean.luc.edu, Dec. 28, 2005
Figure 5 clearly illustrates the obstruction of the lung tissue.
The CF lungs and the whole thorax are affected by a number of pathologic
changes, which are considered as the most frequent causes of death in CF
patients.
13 Eichler et al., 2004, p.2
Diploma Thesis Sabine Neuhaus page 11 of 52