How can someone sustain a TBI without a fracture to the skull?
Although the brain as cradled within the skull, it not physically attached to the skull. Instead, the brain is enclosed, and essentially floating, in spinal fluid. Therefore, if the head sustains a sudden blow, such as hitting the interior of a motor vehicle, the skull itself may not fracture, but the brain can be suddenly slammed against the inside of skull. This can cause injury to the brain. In addition, the brain may bounce back and hit the opposite side of the skull, causing what doctors call a “contra coup” injury to the brain.
