How does a "Head Wound" differ from a traumatic brain injury (TBI)?

A head wound is primarily a physical injury to the scalp, skull, or brain, but it does not necessarily mean that there is an immediate alteration in brain function. In many cases, a head wound can occur without any significant damage to the brain itself, meaning that the person may display normal cognitive and motor functions. This distinction is crucial because head wounds can vary greatly in severity, but a traumatic brain injury (TBI) specifically indicates that the brain has been affected in a way that impairs its function.

The key characteristic of a TBI is that it involves trauma to the head that affects brain activity, which can lead to alterations in consciousness, cognition, or coordination. Due to the nature of TBIs, they can result in a wide range of symptoms depending on the severity and type of injury sustained. Thus, recognizing that a head wound may present with normal brain function helps distinguish it from a TBI, where functional changes are a defining feature.