What type of fracture occurs when the skull is crushed inward?

A depressed skull fracture occurs when a portion of the skull is crushed inward due to a significant impact or injury. This type of fracture results in a section of the skull being displaced below the normal level, which can potentially damage the underlying brain tissue. The depression can vary in depth and can be caused by various types of blunt force trauma.

In contrast, a linear skull fracture typically presents as a simple break in the skull without any displacement, while a comminuted skull fracture involves multiple fragments of bone and often results from more severe trauma. A basilar skull fracture is located at the base of the skull and may involve damage to cranial nerves or the brainstem, but does not specifically indicate an inward crushing of the skull. Thus, recognizing that a depressed skull fracture is characterized by its inward displacement differentiates it from the other types of fractures mentioned.