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Brain Injury Glossary

Masry & Vititoe has been successfully representing seriously injured victims of personal injury, medical malpractice, and brain injury accidents for decades. Our experienced California brain injury lawyers have legal expertise and medical knowledge in the area of brain injuries, including traumatic brain injury, acquired brain injury, and anoxic brain injury. We understand the many important functions that the brain performs, and we have seen the devastating effects of brain injury. Our California brain damage attorneys feel that any negligent person who causes brain injury or brain damage should be held responsible for their actions. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury, contact a traumatic brain injury attorney at Masry & Vititoe today.

Acquired brain injury - An acquired brain injury is one that is not congenital, meaning that it occurred at a specific time after birth. Acquired brain injury may be the result of physical trauma or various medical conditions.

Anoxic brain injury - An anoxic brain injury is when a brain does not receive adequate oxygen, usually resulting from a serious accident where heavy bleeding occurs.

Aphasia - Aphasia is a language disorder which is caused by injury to the brain, specifically the cerebral cortex. This disorder causes a person to have difficulty understanding or verbally communicating spoken language.

Ataxia - Ataxia is a disorder where a person has difficulty with muscle coordination, which is caused by injury to the cerebellum.

Axonal Diffuse injury - An individual who suffers from a contusion may also experience a diffuse axonal injury, which happens when certain nerves in the brain tissue are damaged. Injury to these axon nerves may cause the victim to fall into a vegetative state and can cause death.

Brain stem - The brain stem controls many important functions of the body including sexual functions and physical growth. The brain stem can be found at the base of the brain.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning - When a person is exposed to this odorless and colorless chemical may suffer from brain damage due to the brain's lack of oxygen and in severe cases may die.

Catastrophic injury - A catastrophic injury is an extremely serious injury that may result in permanent disability, long lasting medical conditions, and a shortened life expectancy. It typically affects at least one system of the body and is very painful.

Cerebellum - This part of the human brain controls the movement of arms and legs, balance, body position, and posture is positioned under the cerebrum.

Cerebral hemisphere - The cerebral hemisphere is either the right or left side of the cerebrum.

Cerebrum - This is the largest part of the human brain. It controls behavior, emotions, language, vision, and other important functions of the body.

Closed head injury - A closed head brain injury is when there is trauma to the brain that does not result in a skull fracture.

Coma - A coma is a period of unconsciousness which may occur following a traumatic brain injury.

Contrecoup - A contrecoup is a contusion that results when the head is forcefully shaken and the brain comes into contact with the skull. This condition has been seen in cases of head trauma and Shaken Baby Syndrome.

Contusion - A contusion is when brain tissue becomes swollen and bruised. Blood vessels may break, causing the blood to mix with the swollen tissue.

Depressed skull fracture - A skull fracture where one or more parts of the skull break and come into contact with the brain.

Hematoma - A hematoma is a blood clot in or around the brain.

Mercury poisoning - Exposure to Mercury, a colorless and odorless chemical, can lead to Mercury poisoning causing brain damage, respiratory problems, shaking, and memory loss.

Open head injury - An open head brain injury, also know as a penetrating head injury, is an occurrence where a foreign object breaks through the skull and punctures the brain.

Pesticides - These chemicals are used to kill weeds and insects, and may cause a variety of physical ailments, including brain damage.

Skull fracture - A skull fracture is a break or split in the skull, as the result of trauma to the head.

Solvents - These are dangerous chemicals that can be found in paint and glue that when inhaled, may cause a variety of medical conditions including brain damage.

Traumatic brain injury - A traumatic brain injury is caused by trauma to the head, affecting one or more areas of the brain. This includes injuries from your head hitting an object or an object penetrating your skull.

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury as the result of another party's negligence contact a California head injury lawyer today at Masry & Vititoe.