What is the most common injured organ in blunt abdominal trauma?

What is the most common injured organ in blunt abdominal trauma?

• A. Liver
• B. Spleen
• C. Kidney
• D. Pancreas

Answer: (B)

In blunt abdominal trauma, the spleen is the most commonly injured organ because of its location and vascular nature. It sits in the left upper quadrant just under the diaphragm and beneath the lower ribs, making it vulnerable to direct blows or sudden deceleration. The splenic capsule is relatively thin, and its rich blood supply means that even a modest laceration can lead to significant intra-abdominal bleeding. While the liver is also injured with blunt force, it is more protected by the rib cage on the right and tends to be injured less frequently than the spleen. The kidneys are farther back (retroperitoneal) and shielded by the ribs and spine, and the pancreas is also retroperitoneal and less commonly affected in isolation. So the spleen’s combination of exposure and high vascularity explains why it’s the most common injured organ in blunt abdominal trauma.

In blunt abdominal trauma, the spleen is the most commonly injured organ because of its location and vascular nature. It sits in the left upper quadrant just under the diaphragm and beneath the lower ribs, making it vulnerable to direct blows or sudden deceleration. The splenic capsule is relatively thin, and its rich blood supply means that even a modest laceration can lead to significant intra-abdominal bleeding. While the liver is also injured with blunt force, it is more protected by the rib cage on the right and tends to be injured less frequently than the spleen. The kidneys are farther back (retroperitoneal) and shielded by the ribs and spine, and the pancreas is also retroperitoneal and less commonly affected in isolation. So the spleen’s combination of exposure and high vascularity explains why it’s the most common injured organ in blunt abdominal trauma.