Traumatic brain injury (
TBI), also known as
intracranial injury, occurs when an external force
traumatically injures the brain. TBI can be classified based on severity, mechanism (
closed or
penetrating head injury), or other features (e.g., occurring in a specific location or over a widespread area).
Head injury usually refers to TBI, but is a broader category because it can involve damage to structures other than the brain, such as the scalp and skull.