Injury to which of the following structures should be suspected in a young child who has a penetrating chest wound located at the 5th intercostal space?

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Some patients with penetrating thoracic trauma may also have sustained significant intraabdominal injury.In most of the respiratory cycle the apex of the diaphragm is as high as the fourth intercostal space.This is because intraabdominal pressure exceeds intrapleural pressure throughout all phases of ventilation.Penetrating injuries at or below this level,the level of the nipples,must be suspected of having diaphragm penetration and potential intraabdominal injuries.These patients should be evaluated with a chest-abdomen CT scan.In otherwise stable individuals,thoracoscopy has been reported to be helpful in diagnosing traumatic diaphragm lacerations.

Injury to Which of the Following Structures Should Be Suspected