What happens when a bowling ball collides with a torso at 240 mph?
Is that what you call a strike?
B1: bowling ball intro + freeze
Well thanks to the folks at the
B2: BHS explosion
Ballistic’s High-Speed YouTube channel (who were kind enough to send me their incredible
footage), we’re about to find out.
Today’s source material grants us the opportunity to study blunt abdominal trauma under gut
wrenching circumstances – quite literally.
B3: designed to fire bowling
And quite an interesting piece of surgical equipment.
But before we go any further, please note:
This is an educational video and as such, all depictions of trauma are demonstrated
on ballistics gel, and carefully contextualized within a lesson on human anatomy in accordance
with youtube’s community guidelines.
B3.5: uncle
Now, compared to other projectiles or firearms that we have studied on this channel,
B4: bowling ball fire and zoom on stats
a 240 mph bowling ball has some important differences; mass, velocity, surface area
and shape.
Mass and velocity determine how much kinetic energy a projectile carries,
B5: kinetic energy
which is important because the transfer of kinetic energy from projectile to target is
the basic mechanism by which damage is caused.
Meanwhile surface area and shape determine how efficiently this kinetic energy is transferred
to the target and what type of trauma (blunt, penetrating or a combination of both) we’re
dealing with.
Close study of ballistic trauma really puts the physics in “physician” huh?
Well interns, hang on to your hats, because we’ll need to break it down a little bit
further.
First up – velocity.
The bowling ball is traveling at a much lower velocity than most ballistics.
For reference:
B6: .22 calibre shot
even a .22 caliber projectile (which is considered to be low to average velocity) travels somewhere
between 700 - 900 mph
B7: tank fire
while the tank shells that we studied in last week’s video travel upwards of 1,000 mph
(How fast does a .22 bullet travel in MPH?
- Quora).
However at 12lbs, our bowling ball has more mass than most common projectiles (except
perhaps artillery or tank shells) and because of said mass, even at lower velocity, you
can be sure it packs a hell of a punch.
Furthermore, due to its large surface area and size, the bowling ball will transfer kinetic
energy to the target very efficiently, applying blunt force over a wide impact radius.
B8: bow shooting slow
Think, alternatively for a moment, about a bow and arrow or crossbow bolt – which happen
to travel at similar speed to our bowling ball, between 150mph and 300 mph or around
200 mph respectively.
B9: arrow in ballistic gel
They are the antithesis of a bowling ball; thin, light and sharp at the tip, intended
to puncture a target and lacerate internal organs and blood vessels in order to create
massive blood loss.
Not that bowling balls are typically used as weapons, but this comparison establishes
an effective baseline to help us understand why our ballistics gel torso responds the
way that it does.
B10: initial shot
Great question…
Can we take a look at the slow mo?
B11: again
Those of you that saw last week's video, or any video about ballistic wound tracts and
cavitation, may have noticed the relatively small size – maybe an inch or so wider than
the actual bowling ball – of the temporary cavity.
You know:
B12: show tank again
The temporary expansion of the flesh due to the transfer of kinetic energy as the projectile
passes through it.
Of course, once the tissue settles we are left with a permanent cavity where tissues
have been destroyed or displaced.
B13: wound pattern on ground momentarily
The bulk of our patient's torso does seem to be relatively intact, though as we’ll
soon see, a good portion of the anatomy is missing.
But first let’s have a look at the difference in temporary cavitation between tank and bowling
ball.
BX: side by side
In the case of say a scorpion tank, we’re dealing with a projectile that is similar
in mass to the bowling ball, but with far greater velocity… and as we discovered in
last weeks video, as the size and mass of the projectile becomes larger, so does the
size of the temporary cavity
B14: second tank shot
Until the tissue has stretched to such a degree that the size of the hole exceeds its maximum
elastic capacity and the tissue fails.
B15: bowling ball slow
The bowling ball has a much harder time passing through the tissue, folding the torso in on
itself and dragging it along for the ride before it tears a passage through to the other
side.
Compared to the tank, the bowling ball projectile distributes less kinetic energy over a wider
surface area – which means the body creates more resistance to it – more tissue must
be torn before the bowling ball can pass through.
BX: one punch man clip
This is what one punch man might do to a person IRL… forget those flying bodies, try
B16: it ripped right through him B17: medium speed slow angle 1
The transfer of energy happens so quickly that the head remains in place, while the
body is taken for the ride of its life so to speak… initiating, but never finishing
the common whiplash injury mechanism sequence, before the cervical spine is torn from the
torso entirely.
In a realistic scenario, I doubt that an impact like this would be forceful enough to decapitate
the target as seen here, but I would expect dislocations to the cervical vertebrae and
strains or tears to the ligaments and tendons located there.
B18: medium speed slow angle 2
Had the skull remained attached, I can imagine the cervical spine snapping briefly into extension
and then back into flexion as the torso body is carried backwards.
Worrisome but even extreme whiplash is not a death sentence…
If only that were where the story ended.
B19: right underneath the ribcage
An excellent assessment professor…
The bowling ball buries itself underneath the coastal margin (or the bottom edge) of
the ribcage.
The sternum and xiphoid process beneath it are shattered, and just about every rib appears
to be fractured and displaced with the bottom most sustaining the most damage.
This is a terrible spot to sustain an injury like this for several reasons…
Both our chest and our abdomen contain organs that are vital to our survival, and most projectiles
aren’t big enough to damage both regions simultaneously…
B20: bowling ball continues
Obviously this bowling ball is an overachiever…
Let’s start with the top.
Our ribcage comprises 24 ribs (or 12 pairs) and forms a rigid protective layer around
our mediastinum (a cavity which houses the heart and major blood vessels) and pleural
cavities (which house the lungs).
All of these structures have been critically disrupted – though likely still intact to
some degree.
While the heart, lungs and major vessels do have some inherent flexibility and elasticity
that allows them to expand and contract during their normal functioning, the deformation
caused by the upper ridge of the bowling ball is simply too much.
Not only that, but the bones of the chest wall have been comminuted (ie.
broken into several small pieces) to such a degree that every soft tissue in the area
(organs, vessels, muscles) runs the risk of laceration from a sharp bone fragment which
will worsen internal bleeding the already present internal bleeding.
B21: ball out back
A projectile of this size can’t simply pass through the target without crudely tearing
enough of the tissue in its path to allow for its exit on the other side.
In the operating room I would much rather see a patient with a clean wound; sharp edges,
clear wound tract, bones without too much fragmentation – than something like this.
When presented with a jumbled mess of flesh, organ, bone, blood vessels, etcetera, I know
I am in for a difficult operation.
When it comes to trauma we begin immediately with debridement (or the removal of dead,
damaged tissue).
A tissue that has been torn through blunt force typically has jagged edges and will
likely have sustained more overall damage than a wound from a sharp object.
Non viable parts will be removed along with any dangerous fragments of bone.
Then of course comes the repair process…
But let's be realistic:
Not only have the heart, lungs and great blood vessels been disrupted by the top edge of
the bowling ball,
B22: impact again
but the diaphragm, abdominal aorta, lower thoracic and upper lumbar spine have been
compromised entirely.
Critical damage to any one of these structures could send someone down the river Styx, and
are all in the running for the actual mechanism by which our patient’s ticket has been punched…
By moving up and down, the diaphragm allows your lungs to fill with air when you breathe
in and push air out when you breathe out – no diaphragm = no more breathing.
The abdominal aorta is one of the largest blood vessels in the body (approx. 2-3 centimeters
in diameter in most individuals) which carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the organs
and tissues in the abdomen and lower extremities.
If punctured, or worse – ripped apart by an angry bowling ball – exsanguination,
or a life-threatening loss of blood, could occur in a matter of minutes.
A truly conservative estimate, considering the amount of other structures that would
also be bleeding.
Hemorrhagic shock (a condition wherein the vital organs are not getting enough blood
and characterized by rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, and loss of consciousness)
is inevitable here.
Together with the inability to breathe; our patient will be lights out very quickly.
B23: oh my gosh spine gone
Right… that is a frighteningly large portion of the spine.
I will point out that due to the design of the ballistics dummy, with a metal rod connecting
all vertebral segments – a realistic impact may have removed less of the spine – but
5 vertebrae instead of maybe 8 isn’t really going to change much.
You see, the vertebrae have a dual function in the body.
One, they serve as the structural framework of the spine, providing support and stability.
Two, they form a bony canal called the spinal canal, which houses and shields the delicate
spinal cord from potential injuries.
Our spinal cord is the information superhighway that carries messages between your body and
your brain, facilitating movement, feeling and many important functions (like breathing
and digestion) When it is severed or removed, everything below the level of injury stops
working.
B24: body close up on ground
From this angle, it appears as though the permanent cavity is actually smaller than
the size of the bowling ball – a testament to the elasticity of human tissue, some of
them retaining shape as the ball tore through.
Let’s have a look at what organs lie on the periphery of the wound tract.
The kidneys and liver, both particularly sensitive to trauma and extremely painful when struck,
would all likely have sustained a passing blow.
In MMA, a strike targeting one of these organs can easily ground a fighter and even knock
them out, if delivered with enough force…
Thus perhaps our patient lost consciousness almost immediately upon impact, making for
a slightly more humane passing.
Also worth noting: a blow to the solar plexus– pretty much dead center where the bowling
impacted the dummy – can be equally debilitating, though less likely to cause loss of consciousness.
When this network of nerves located in the upper abdomen, is disrupted the diaphragm
may be temporarily unable to function… but as we’ve already seen:
B25: body again, still front
There is no more diaphragm.
The stomach would also be missing, leaving a monstrous tear in the digestive tract, and
perhaps bursting upon impact.
There will be digestive fluid and partially digested food contaminating the wound tract.
Worse yet, the upper most portion of the large intestine (the transverse colon) where food
becomes excrement is directly in the line of fire as well as the jejunum and possibly
the ileum of the small intestine.
The body really doesn't function well when contaminants from the digestive tract enter
the bloodstream or disrupt the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut and infection
can result.
Of course, if our patient were dealing with infection – it would mean they somehow lived
to tell the tale…
And that, interns, would be truly miraculous.
B26: flip to back
Well that’s the thing, the human body is generally pretty well integrated – one tissue
with the next.
All along the length of the spine, muscles attach to it via tendons and ripping such
a large portion of the spine out of the body would require each of those junctions to be
torn or pulled out along with it.
The serratus, latissimus dorsi and spinalis to name only a few…
All main structures and organs aside there are myriad forms of membranes and connective
tissue that hold us tightly together.
We can wave goodbye to the peritoneum – a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and
covers the organs within it.
And at the area of impact, the fascia, which is a fibrous connective tissue that forms
a network throughout the body, surrounding and supporting muscles, organs, and other
structures.
The list goes on…
B27: back continued
Well professor, unfortunately I don’t think our patient is going to make it.
Another ballistic dummy sacrificing life and limb in order to deepen our understanding
of human anatomy…
BX: if anyone guessed this video correctly from our hint last week
Shout out to these interns who correctly guessed the subject of this week's video!
Please let me know what you’d like to see me cover next in the comments down below.
Remember to check out my online gym Human 2.0 for free right here on youtube where we
help you prevent injury and move better.
Outro