Exam 3: Head Injuries Flashcards
scalp
hair skin superficial fascia layer epicranius muscle deep fascia layer periosteum
cranium
supports and protects brain
meninges
three membranes that envelop brain and spinal cord:
- dura mater - outer
- arachnoid - middle
- pia mater - inner
subarachnoid space
between arachnoid and pia mater - contains csf
contrecoup injury
opposite hit injury - i.e. frontal hit with damage to cerebellum
major brain arteries
- internal carotid arteries - anterior brain
- vertebral arteries - posterior brain
- circle of willis - formed by connection of internal carotid and vertebral - ensures continuous blood supply if one or other is damaged
- external carotid arteries - scalp and neck
circle of willis
formed by connection of internal carotid and vertebral arteries
- ensures continuous blood supply if one is damaged
major veins
- internal jugular vein - anterior
- vertebral veins - posterior
- external jugular - scalp and cranium
3 major brain injury classifications
- skull fracture
- focal injuries
- diffuse injury
brain injury - skull fracture
with or without damage to intracranial structures:
brain, meninges, arteries, veins
brain injury - focal injury
localized area of the brain has been contused - internal bleeding - 50% of all injuries - most deaths
- epidural/extradural hematoma
- subdural hematoma
brain injury - diffuse injury
causes wide spread disruption of neural activity - 40% of all hospitalizations - 35% of all head injury deaths
1. cerebral concussion
epidural/extradural hematoma (focal)
- results in arterial bleeding
- occurs fast
- occurs under high pressure
- can cause serious brain injury quickly (minutes)
pathology of epidural/extradural hematoma
- injury to one or more of the meningeal arteries
- meningeal arteries supply blood to the dura mater and brain
- meningeal arteries are located in boy grooves in the skull
What area of the brain is damaged in an epidural/extradural hematoma?
meningeal arteries - supply blood to dura mater and brain