Overview
A head injury is any injury to the scalp, skull, brain, face, eyes, ears, jaw or teeth. MedlinePlus explains that head injuries can be closed, meaning nothing breaks through the skull, or open (penetrating), meaning an object pierces the skull and enters the brain, and that closed injuries are not always less severe than open ones.[1] This section covers each part of the head and the injuries that affect it.
Brain injuries
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury that affects how the brain works.[2] TBIs range from mild, also called concussion, to moderate and severe.[3]
- Brain injuries (TBI)Types, severity, and how TBI affects the brain
- ConcussionThe most common form of mild TBI
- Post-concussion syndromeSymptoms that last weeks or longer
Bleeding in or around the brain
NINDS lists bleeding and swelling among the types of damage usually seen in the brain after a TBI.[4]
Skull injuries
According to NINDS, CT imaging can show a skull fracture as well as bruising, bleeding or swelling in the brain.[4]
Scalp, face, eyes, ears, jaw and teeth
Many head injuries never reach the brain but still need treatment, from scalp lacerations to facial fractures, eye injuries, ruptured eardrums and dental trauma.
This page provides general information from the sources listed below. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for evaluation by a qualified healthcare provider. In an emergency, call 911.
Sources
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. “Head Injuries.” https://medlineplus.gov/headinjuries.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “About Mild TBI and Concussion.” https://www.cdc.gov/traumatic-brain-injury/about/index.html
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. “Traumatic brain injury.” https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000799.htm
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. “Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).” https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/traumatic-brain-injury-tbi
Sources last checked: October 11, 2026
