An inward indentation of the skull is called which type of fracture?

• A. Depressed skull fracture
• B. Linear skull fracture
• C. Comminuted skull fracture
• D. Compound skull fracture

Answer: (A)

An inward indentation of the skull is a depressed skull fracture. The defining feature is bone fragments pushed inward toward the brain, rather than simply cracking or breaking along the bone’s surface. This distinguishes it from a linear fracture, which is just a crack without inward displacement; a comminuted fracture, where the bone is broken into several pieces; and a compound fracture, which is open to the outside through a skin wound. Depressed fractures carry a risk of underlying brain contusion or hemorrhage and may require surgical elevation if the fragment is significantly depressed or if there’s an open wound.