Medical Encyclopedia
Skull fracture
Although the skull is tough, resilient, and provides excellent protection for the brain, a severe impact or blow can result in fracture of the skull and may be accompanied by injury to the brain. Some of the different types of skull fracture include:
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Simple: a break in the bone without damage to the skin
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Linear or hairline: a break in a cranial bone resembling a thin line, without splintering, depression, or distortion of bone
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Depressed: a break in a cranial bone (or "crushed" portion of skull) with depression of the bone in toward the brain
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Compound: a break in or loss of skin and splintering of the bone. Along with the fracture, brain injury, such as subdural hematoma (bleeding) may occur.
Update Date: 3/21/2006
Updated by: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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