Which organ is most likely to exhibit contusion and hemorrhage from overpressure in a blast event?

Which organ is most likely to exhibit contusion and hemorrhage from overpressure in a blast event?

• A. Heart
• B. Lungs
• C. Spleen
• D. Pancreas

Answer: (B)

Primary blast overpressure injures the body through the shock wave itself. Air-filled, gas-containing organs absorb most of this energy, making the lungs especially vulnerable. The rapid chest compression and subsequent expansion drive the pressure wave into lung tissue, causing rupture of small vessels and damage to alveoli. This leads to pulmonary contusion with intrapulmonary hemorrhage and edema, impairing gas exchange and causing respiratory distress. While the heart can be injured, and solid organs like the spleen or pancreas can suffer injuries from other blast effects, the lungs are the organ most characteristically affected by contusion and hemorrhage from the direct overpressure.

Primary blast overpressure injures the body through the shock wave itself. Air-filled, gas-containing organs absorb most of this energy, making the lungs especially vulnerable. The rapid chest compression and subsequent expansion drive the pressure wave into lung tissue, causing rupture of small vessels and damage to alveoli. This leads to pulmonary contusion with intrapulmonary hemorrhage and edema, impairing gas exchange and causing respiratory distress. While the heart can be injured, and solid organs like the spleen or pancreas can suffer injuries from other blast effects, the lungs are the organ most characteristically affected by contusion and hemorrhage from the direct overpressure.