Which type of organs spill their contents when injured, posing a risk of infection?

• A. Solid organs
• B. Hollow organs
• C. Glandular organs
• D. Nervous organs

Answer: (B)

Spilling contents happens with hollow organs because they have a central lumen filled with fluid or semi-fluid material. When a hollow organ is injured, its wall can rupture and leak these contents into areas that are normally sterile, such as the abdominal cavity. That leakage introduces bacteria and irritating substances, raising the risk of infection and chemical irritation (peritonitis). In contrast, solid organs contain tissue and blood; injury mainly causes bleeding and tissue damage rather than spillage of organ contents. Glandular or nervous organs aren’t defined by content leakage in the same way. So, hollow organs are the ones that spill their contents when injured, creating a higher infection risk.