Why the Location of a TBI Matters
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) occur any time head trauma, vibrations, or oxygen deprivation cause damage to the delicate tissue of your brain. Because the brain is the control center of your entire body and its functioning, the effects of brain damage affect the way different parts of your body work. The brain in also in charge of your emotions and intellectual processing, as well as problem solving and communication. All of these may be impaired if certain parts of the brain are injured.
The brain is compartmentalized into different sections each with its own responsibilities for governing functions or behaviors. If you suffer an injury to one part of the brain and your friend suffers damage to another part of the brain, the effects of your respective brain injuries can be extremely varied. In fact, you may question whether you even sustained the same type of injury. For this reason, the location of your brain injury is one of the primary factors in identifying your symptoms and outlining the most appropriate and effective treatment plan for you.
Anatomy of the Brain
There are four major sections of the brain that are commonly damaged in a traumatic brain injury, which are as follows:
Frontal lobe – This part of the brain controls your capability for problem-solving, planning, thinking, self-expression of thoughts, communication, and more. The frontal lobe also largely shapes your behavioral patterns and your personality in general.
Temporal lobe – This lobe is in charge of memory, comprehension of information, and other types of complicated thinking and processing.
Cerebellum – This section of the brain governs a substantial amount of your physical abilities and movements, including balance, coordination, and general motor skills.
Brain stem – This critical part of the brain regulates many of the functions in your body, including breathing, circulation and heartbeat, sleep, and consciousness. Damage to this part can often result in coma and other loss of consciousness.
In addition to the major sections of the brain, there are also several different cranial nerves that can suffer damage and affect many aspects of your life. These nerves include the following:
- Olfactory (smell)
- Abducens, oculomotor, and trochlear (eye movements)
- Optic (visual abilities)
- Facial and trigeminal (facial movements and sensation)
- Glossopharyngeal and vagus (taste and swallowing)
- Auditory (hearing as well as balance)
- Accessory (neck and shoulder muscle control)
- Hypoglossal (tongue movement and control)
Determining the Location of a Brain Injury
Identifying the location of the damage to your brain is an essential part of traumatic brain injury diagnosis. Medical professionals have many tests they can perform to try to determine not only the location of the damage but also the extent of the injury. Advanced imaging tests are commonly used, especially if it seems like a brain injury is serious. These tests can include:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan1
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan2
- Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)
- Positron emission tomography (PET)
Doctors can also perform other non-imaging tests to try to identify different symptoms and effects, which can, in turn, shed light on the location of the injury. Such tests can include the Glasgow Coma Scale test and the Rancho Los Amigos Scale test.
Find Out How Our Tampa Brain Injury Lawyers Can Help You
After a brain injury, you may have a long road to recovery ahead of you involving costly therapies and a variety of challenges at home, school, and work. Because the costs of a TBI can be so dramatic, it is imperative that you discuss your legal right to recovery with a skilled and experienced brain injury attorney. At the Dolman Law Group, our team understands the wide variety of symptoms and struggles you may face depending on where your injury occurred on the brain and the severity of the damage. We can review your medical records with an understanding of the effects of your injury on your daily life and provide personal attention throughout your case. Please call 727-451-6900 today for a free consultation with our brain injury attorneys.
Dolman Law Group
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
727-451-6900
https://www.dolmanlaw.com/legal-services/brain-injury-attorneys/
