In this chapter we will review the traumatic injuries to the organs of the abdominal cavity, which will include the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, mesentery, appendix, colon, liver, gallbladder, and spleen.  Although, much of the esophagus is within the thorax, for the sake of continutiy, it will be discussed with the gastrointestinal tract, most of which is located within the abdomenal cavity.  There will also be a discussion, in a general sense, of the mechanisms of injury to the abdominal organs when the abdomen is subjected to blunt force trauma.  We will first review the surface anatomy, as well as the anatomy of the abdominal cavity.  The foundation of thought behind reviewing the anatomy is based on the fact that an understanding of the surface anatomy will give you some insight into what you can anticipate internally during your external examination.  It will also give you a grasp of the dynamics involved which produced the external and internal traumatic injuries. Since this educational blog may also be used by medicolegal investigators, police officers and attorneys, who for the most part have little knowledge of anatomy, such a review may help them in having a better understanding of the relationship between the blunt force trauma applied to the victim and their injuries.

Traumatic Injuries of the Organs of the Abdominal Cavity- Adult and Pediatric