Abdominal Trauma

Synonyms

Blunt abdominal trauma; Injury; Penetrating abdominal trauma; Torso trauma

Definition

Anatomy

Abdominal trauma is any injury to the abdominal wall or organs within the abdominal cavity. External landmarks for the abdomen are the transnipple line superiorly, the anterior axillary lines laterally, and the inguinal ligaments and pubic symphysis inferiorly. Between the anterior and posterior axillary lines, from the sixth intercostal space to the iliac crest, is the flank. The back is the region posterior to the posterior axillary lines, from the inferior tip of the scapulae to the iliac crests [1]. These landmarks are relevant primarily in terms of diagnostic evaluation for penetrating abdominal trauma.

The abdominal cavity contains three components – the peritoneal cavity, the retroperitoneum, and the pelvic cavity – and includes everything between the diaphragm superiorly, and the pelvic floorinferiorly. The upper peritoneal cavity is partially within the lower thoracic cage...