How Trauma to The Head Can Cause Cranial Injuries
About twelve cranial
nerves run over the surface of the skull to various parts of the head providing
sensation, and controlling facial movement. However, these nerves are vulnerable
to various injuries since they are only protected by facial tissues and
muscles.
Functions of The
Cranial Nerve
About twelve cranial
nerves are connecting the brain to different body parts including the head,
neck, and trunk. These nerves are named after their structure or function, that
is sensory or motor, with a corresponding roman number between I and XII based
on their position from front to back. Sensory cranial nerves determine one’s
ability to touch, hear, and smell, while motor nerves control muscle movement.
Some of the various
facial functions of the cranial nerves include:
- Moving the eyes
- Chewing
- Smiling
Head Trauma and
Cranial Injury
Trauma to the scalp,
skull, and brain due to violence, sports, falls, accidents among others
constitute head injuries. A penetrative injury where the skull fractures or an
object pierces through the skull is called an open injury.
In contrast, closed
injuries do not break through the skull. However, though open or closed, head
injuries can be fatal or lead to permanent disability, or mental impairment.
The cranial nerve is
often the most affected in case of head trauma. As a result, one’s sense of
smell, taste, and expression may be affected.
Symptoms of Head
Injury
The symptoms of
cranial injury can be sensory, cognitive, or physical and include:
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Coma
- Paralysis
- Ringing ears
- Blurred vision
- Memory loss
- Seizures
In case of a cranial
injury, it is important to seek urgent medical care to determine the extent of
damage to the nerve. If you have observed these symptoms and recently had an
injury to your head, you should consult with a specialized doctor soon for
diagnosis. Today, there are a variety of centers offering 24/ hour emergency care.
All you need to do is
simply research about the neurosurgeons and neurologists offering emergency
assessments near you. Simply lookup for any “available emergency room near me,
or a recommended er near me.” Immediate medical intervention can prevent head
injuries from escalating into a serious problem such as paralysis or
dysfunction.
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