Primary blast injuries commonly affect which organ systems?

Primary blast injuries commonly affect which organ systems?

• A. Heart and Liver
• B. Muscles and Bones
• C. Lungs and Ears
• D. Skin and Eyes

Answer: (C)

When a blast occurs, the initial pressure wave travels through the body and most severely harms tissues that include air or gas spaces. The lungs fit that pattern because they’re full of air and have a large surface area that rapidly absorbs the energy, making them highly susceptible to overpressure injury like pulmonary contusion, edema, or even pneumothorax. The ears, especially the tympanic membrane and middle ear, are also highly sensitive to sudden pressure changes, so rupture of the eardrum and related hearing issues are common. Other organs can be injured, but primary blast effects most characteristically involve the lungs and ears due to how the overpressure wave interacts with gas-filled structures.

When a blast occurs, the initial pressure wave travels through the body and most severely harms tissues that include air or gas spaces. The lungs fit that pattern because they’re full of air and have a large surface area that rapidly absorbs the energy, making them highly susceptible to overpressure injury like pulmonary contusion, edema, or even pneumothorax. The ears, especially the tympanic membrane and middle ear, are also highly sensitive to sudden pressure changes, so rupture of the eardrum and related hearing issues are common. Other organs can be injured, but primary blast effects most characteristically involve the lungs and ears due to how the overpressure wave interacts with gas-filled structures.