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:
Simple: a break in the bone without damage to the skinLinear or
hairline: a break in a cranial bone resembling a thin line, without
splintering, depression, or distortion of boneDepressed: a break in
a cranial bone (or "crushed" portion of skull) with depression of
the bone in toward the brainCompound: 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.
Review Date: 02/19/2008
Reviewed By: John E. Duldner, Jr., MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Emergency
Medicine, Director of Research, Department of Emergency Medicine,
Akron General Medical Center and Northeastern Ohio Universities
College of Medicine. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M.,
Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)