Sports Medicine - Head Injuries

• Skull bones


  • Frontal Bone - Anterior
  • Parietal Bone - Superior
  • Occipital Bone - Posterior
  • Temporal Bone - Lateral
• Mandible


  The medical term for the jaw bone
• Maxilla


  The upper jaw
• The skull can withstand 425 pounds of force
• What are the five lobes of the brain?

  Frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, cerebellum.
• Function of the frontal lobe?

  • Cognitive Function
  • Smell
  • Emotions
  • Voluntary Movement
• Cerebrospinal fluid


  The fluid that flows in and around the hollow spaces of the brain and spinal cord
• Functions of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

  • Shock absorption
  • Provide nutrition to brain/spinal cord
  • Remove waste products from cerebral metabolism
• In severe head/brain trauma, CSF can drain from the skull, nose, and/or ears
• If CSF is leaking out of a head injury

  Allow this to drain so pressure in the skull doesn't increase
• Function of the Occipital Lobe?


  Vision
• Function of the Parietal Lobe?

  • Interprets Sensations
  • Spatial Awareness
• Function of the Temporal Lobe?

  • Short-term memory
  • Speech
  • Hearing
• Function of the Cerebellum?

  • Coordinates voluntary movements
  • Maintain posture, balance, and equilibrium
• What are the 5 signs/symptoms of a TBI?

  • Pain
  • Motor Dysfunction
  • Sensory Disruption
  • Cognitive Problems
  • Speech Problems
• What is Battle’s Sign?


  Discoloration/Bruising behind the ear
• 4 ways head injuries can be prevented

  • Helmets
  • Mouth Guards
  • Rules
  • Common Sense
• There are an estimated 1.7-3.8 million traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in the U.S.
• Only 10% of traumatic brain injuries are from sports/recreational activities
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)


  Acquired brain injury from a blow or jolt to the head, penetrating head injury, or a battle's sign
• What two injuries can Battle’s Sign indicate?

  Concussion or Skull Fracture
• What are the two most common mechanisms of head injuries?

  Impact & Rotation
• What is a coup injury?


  An injury caused by a stationary skull getting hit by a fast object
• What is a countercoup injury?


  A skull moving fast suddenly stopping
• What is a Concussion?


  A temporary impairment of brain function due to trauma
• The brain is made up of 90 billion neurons
• What are the functions of neurons?


  Relay signals along axons to communicate with the brain
• What happens to neurons when the head is jolt or hit?

  The neurons get stretched or torn
• What do destroyed axons release as they degenerate?

  Neurotransmitters
• What are signs/symptoms of a concussion?

  • Blackout
  • Headache
  • Blurry vision
  • Balance problems
  • Altered Mood and Behavior
  • Problems with memory, thinking, and sleeping
  • Onset of anxiety and depression
• Symptoms of a concussion

  • Nausea/Vomiting
  • Mental Confusion
  • Tinnitus
  • Dizziness
  • Difficulty speaking
  • Amnesia
• Symptoms of severe concussions

  • Rapid eye movements know as nystagmus
  • One pupil larger than the other known as anisocoria
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Decreased pulse
  • Signs/symptoms of shock
• What is tinnitus?


  Ringing in ears
• What is Retrograde Amnesia?


  Loss of memory for events that occurred before a traumatic brain injury.