Blunt trauma - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Blunt trauma is a kind of trauma that usually results from being hit by something dull and firm (like a car, a fist, or the ground). It is also called blunt force trauma. This is different from penetrating trauma (also called an insult) where an object, such as a bullet or knife enters the body.
Common types of blunt force trauma include:[1]
- Being in a car accident (this is the most common cause of blunt force trauma)
- Being hit by another person with a fist or with something that is not sharp, like a bat
- Falling and hitting the ground (like falling down the stairs)
- Jumping or falling from a high place
What kinds of problems can blunt force trauma cause?
[change | change source]If blunt force trauma is not too severe, it may cause only cuts (lacerations), bruises (contusions), and scrapes (abrasions). However, bad blunt force trauma can cause many serious problems, like:[1]
- Head and brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Crushing of the airways, making it difficult or impossible to breath
- Damage to organs (for example, collapsed lungs)
- Broken bones
- Severe bleeding, which can be internal (inside the body)
References
[change | change source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Batalis, Nicholas; Denton, Scott (2013-12-04). "Forensic Autopsy of Blunt Force Trauma". Medscape. Retrieved 2015-12-01.