Which fracture involves a portion pressed inward, typical of skull injuries?

• A. Closed fracture
• B. Depressed fracture
• C. Compound fracture
• D. Comminuted fracture

Answer: (B)

A depressed fracture is when a portion of the skull bone is pushed inward toward the brain by an impact. The defining feature is the inward indentation of the bone, which can directly compress brain tissue and often requires urgent evaluation and imaging. This distinguishes it from other fracture types: a closed fracture means the bone is broken but the skin remains intact; a compound (open) fracture involves a break in the skin with exposed bone; a comminuted fracture means the bone is shattered into multiple fragments. So the inward inward indentation of the skull is the hallmark of a depressed fracture, making it the appropriate description for this type of skull injury.