Skull fractures Flashcards
How easily is the skull fractured? Why?
Relatively difficult to fracture the skull
because of the thickness of the bones
What are the two types of skull fractures?
Linear
Depressed
What is a linear skull fracture?
Straight fracture through full thickness of skull bone without displacement of bone fragments
What is a depressed skull fracture?
Bone fragment is displaced inwards
Which parts of the skull are more commonly fractured?
Pterion
Cranial floor
Nasal bones, zygoma bones, mandible
Why is the pterion more commonly fractured?
Thin part of bone
so its weaker
What type of fracture is a pterion fracture usually?
A depressed fracture
What do fractures of the pterion damage? Why?
Middle meningeal artery
because it runs directly underneath the pterion
What is the consequence of damage to the middle meningeal artery?
Intracranial haemorrhage
specifically extradural haemorrhage
What is a fracture of the cranial floor called?
Basilar skull fracture
Why is the cranial floor more easily fractured compared to the rest of the skull?
Foramina, fissures, canals etc. are essentially holes in the bones
make it weaker
What are the signs of a basilar skull fracture?
Raccoon’s eyes
Battle’s sign
CSF leak out of nose, ear
What are Raccoon’s eyes?
Bruising around the eyes
What is Battle’s signs?
Bruising over the mastoid process
Why do Raccoon’s eyes or Battle’s sign occur with a basilar skull fracture?
Rupture of blood vessels passing through foramina or fissures or canals of cranial floor
blood leaks out and accumulates around the eyes or the mastoid process
