What trauma would be induced from #6?

• A. Left Lateral Strain
• B. Right Torsion
• C. Left Torsion
• D. Inferior Vertical Strain

Answer: (D)

The key idea is how a cranial strain reflects the direction of the force that displaced the sphenobasilar mechanism. Vertical strains happen when the force pushes the skull along the vertical axis. In an inferior vertical strain, the sphenobasilar mechanism is driven downward, so the sphenoid moves inferiorly relative to the occiput (the SBS is effectively depressed). This pattern fits a vertical compressive impact on the crown or top of the head, where the skull is pressed downward.

So, the trauma described would be a vertical, downward force on the skull that depresses the SBS. That’s distinct from rotational strains (torsions) or lateral strains, which arise from oblique or side-to-side forces rather than pure vertical compression.