Which trauma is associated with cranial strain pattern #7?

• A. Right lateral strain
• B. Left lateral strain
• C. Right torsion
• D. Compression dysfunction

Answer: (A)

Cranial strain patterns reflect how an impact biases motion at the sphenobasilar synchondrosis (SBS). When a force comes from the side, it tends to push the SBS off center in the left–right plane, producing a lateral strain. The pattern described here corresponds to a right lateral strain, meaning the cranial mechanism is biased so the SBS moves with a rightward tilt and the two halves of the skull distend on opposite sides in the horizontal plane. This is typically produced by a lateral impact that shifts the mechanism toward the right, making right lateral strain the most fitting description. The other patterns arise from different directions or types of trauma (torsions from rotational forces, vertical strains from up/down forces, and compression from direct vertical compression), which is why they don’t match pattern #7.