There are two different types of brain injuries, closed head injuries and penetrating/open head injuries.  When a closed head injury occurs the skill remain intact, but during an open head injury the skull becomes fractured.  More information about closed head injuries will be found throughout this pamphlet.

 **********************************************************************************************************

Several Statistics about Brain Injuries:

Every year in the United States there are an estimated:

1.4 million brain injuries that are sustained 

235,000 people who are hospitalized and survive

 50,000 people who die, and 

80,000 to 90,000 people who will suffer from long-term or lifelong disability

(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2004)

**********************************************************************************************************

What are the Main Causes of Brain Injuries?  

Motor Vehicle Accidents (number one)

Accidental Falls

Sports Related

Assault

*************************************************************************************************************

The first type is a non-acceleration injury.  This type of injury occurs when a moving object hits a fixed head.  For this type of injury to take place the head has to be fixed up against something, for example a wall or the floor.

What Parts of the Brain are at a Greater Risk when a Closed Head Injury is Sustained?

Anterior Temporal Lobe

Orbital Frontal Lobe

Prefrontal Lobe 

These three areas are at a greater risk because the inside of the skull is jagged around these locations.  Therefore, when a head injury is sustained, contusions, lacerations, and fractures occur more frequently around these areas.

Skilled Professionals Who are Part of the Recovery Process:  

*******************************************************************************************************

References:

     from http://www.cdc.gov/node.do/id/0900f3ec8000dbdc/aspectID/AS_A0400020