Into which tissues does alcohol primarily distribute?

Into which tissues does alcohol primarily distribute?

• A. Hair
• B. Blood
• C. Brain and Muscle
• D. Skin

Answer: (C)

Alcohol distributes with the body's total body water because it is small and highly water‑soluble. It moves easily across cell membranes and equilibrates between plasma, extracellular fluid, and intracellular fluid. Brain and skeletal muscle contain large amounts of water and are well perfused, so they receive the majority of ethanol as it distributes. Hair or skin don’t contain much water and aren’t major reservoirs, and while ethanol is present in blood, the question focuses on tissues, making brain and muscle the primary distribution sites.

Alcohol distributes with the body's total body water because it is small and highly water‑soluble. It moves easily across cell membranes and equilibrates between plasma, extracellular fluid, and intracellular fluid. Brain and skeletal muscle contain large amounts of water and are well perfused, so they receive the majority of ethanol as it distributes. Hair or skin don’t contain much water and aren’t major reservoirs, and while ethanol is present in blood, the question focuses on tissues, making brain and muscle the primary distribution sites.