Evisceration is defined as:

• A. A rupture of the abdominal wall without organ protrusion
• B. Bleeding from the umbilicus
• C. Organs protruding through abdominal wound
• D. An infection of the abdominal cavity

Answer: (C)

Evisceration occurs when internal organs, usually the intestines, protrude through a wound in the abdominal wall. The defining feature is that viscera are exposed outside the body, which makes this an emergency requiring rapid protective measures and urgent surgical care. This is why describing organs protruding through an abdominal wound is the correct definition. The other descriptions refer to different situations: a rupture of the abdominal wall without protruding organs means the wound has torn but no viscera are exposed; bleeding from the umbilicus is a superficial hemorrhage not involving organ protrusion; an infection of the abdominal cavity describes peritonitis or intra-abdominal sepsis rather than protrusion of tissue. In practice, management focuses on covering the exposed organs with sterile damp dressings, keeping the patient still and warm, and arranging urgent transport for definitive surgical treatment.