A man who had been in a car accident arrived at the emergency department. He was awake and alert and was able to tell the physician that he was experiencing severe pain near his lower ribs on the left side of his body and in his abdomen. Upon palpation, the patient’s abdomen was rigid, indicating the possibility of internal bleeding. The physician suspected that broken ribs may have injured an organ within the abdominal cavity. Which organ would most likely be injured in this case?___________ What abdominopelvic quadrant is the injured organ located in?__________________ What abdominopelvic region is it located in?______________
The correct answer and explanation is :
Correct Answer:
- Organ most likely injured: Spleen
- Abdominopelvic quadrant: Left upper quadrant (LUQ)
- Abdominopelvic region: Left hypochondriac region
Explanation:
In this case, the patient presents with severe pain in the lower ribs on the left side of the body and in the abdomen, along with a rigid abdomen, which is indicative of potential internal bleeding. The physician suspects that broken ribs could have injured an organ within the abdominal cavity. Given the symptoms and the anatomical location of the pain, the spleen is the most likely organ to be injured.
The spleen is located in the left upper quadrant (LUQ) of the abdomen, specifically in the left hypochondriac region. It plays an essential role in filtering blood and storing red blood cells. Due to its location just beneath the rib cage on the left side, it is particularly vulnerable to trauma, especially from direct blows to the area, such as those that might occur in a car accident.
When a rib fracture occurs, it can potentially puncture or lacerate the spleen, causing internal bleeding. This can lead to a condition known as splenic rupture, which can result in significant internal hemorrhaging. The pain felt in the lower ribs and the abdomen can be a result of both the trauma to the ribs and the damage to the spleen. The rigid abdomen that the physician detects upon palpation is a classic sign of peritoneal irritation caused by internal bleeding, which suggests that blood may have leaked into the abdominal cavity from a ruptured spleen.
The left upper quadrant (LUQ) is the primary anatomical area where the spleen resides. The left hypochondriac region is specifically located in the upper part of the abdomen, beneath the ribs, which corresponds to the spleen’s location. Therefore, the combination of the patient’s pain, abdominal rigidity, and history of trauma points to a likely splenic injury.