Question

Why are the organs in the abdominal cavity vulnerable to blunt trauma in an auto accident if a person is only wearing the lap belt (without the shoulder portion)?

a. The ribs are easily broken by the lap belt.
b. The pelvis deflects the lap belt into the chest.
c. All the body organs are found in the abdominal cavity, so it makes sense they would be injured.
d. The abdominal cavity walls are not reinforced with bones.

Answer 1

The abdominal cavity's vulnerability in an auto accident is due to the lack of bony reinforcement, exposing the organs to potential injury from a lap belt.

Step-by-step explanation:

The organs in the abdominal cavity are vulnerable to blunt trauma in an auto accident when a person is wearing only the lap belt because the abdominal cavity walls are not reinforced with bones like the thoracic cavity, which is protected by the rib cage. This lack of skeletal protection means that the force of a collision can cause the lap belt to exert tremendous pressure directly onto the abdominal organs, potentially causing injury.

The thoracic cavity, enclosed by the rib cage, protects vital organs such as the heart and lungs. In contrast, while the pelvic girdle can offer some protection to the lower abdominal cavity, the upper abdominal organs above the pelvis are shielded only by muscle and soft tissue, making them more susceptible to injury from the compression caused by a lap belt.