Discuss multiple ways an individual can acquire a traumatic brain injury.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Ans: The effects of an injury will differ depending on the cause. A penetration injury, such as a bullet going through the brain, will result in certain specific effects.
*The effects of the injury are usually specific to the site of injury, with secondary effects occurring in other areas as a result of complications.
*Traumatic brain injury can also be caused by car accidents and falls. This type of injury, known as an acceleration injury, results in diffuse damage throughout the brain. When the head hits the steering wheel of a car, for example, the brain (which is floating in cerebral spinal fluid) is thrown violently forward against the skull.
*This initial site of impact is referred to as “coup.” The brain is then thrown backward and hits the back of the skull.
*This second site of impact is known as “contracoup.” The brain continues to move back and forth, hitting against the skull, and suffering further damage against any sharp bony protrusions. Often the brain will be twisting as well, breaking and damaging nerve cells throughout. The result is diffuse damage across the brain.
*Complications such as hemorrhage (bleeding) and edema (swelling) often cause further damage to the brain.