What type of fracture is described as occurring at the base of the skull?

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A basilar skull fracture is specifically defined as a fracture that occurs at the base of the skull. This type of fracture often involves significant traumatic injury and can lead to complications such as cerebrospinal fluid leakage or damage to cranial nerves, due to its location near critical structures. In contrast, a compound skull fracture refers to a fracture that involves a break in the skin and exposes underlying bone, which can occur anywhere within the skull but isn’t limited to the base. A comminuted skull fracture involves the bone breaking into multiple fragments, and while it can also happen at the base, it is not specifically defined as a basilar fracture. A fracture of the cranial vault pertains to injuries occurring in the upper part of the skull, away from the base. Thus, the defining feature of a basilar skull fracture is its location at the base, aptly distinguishing it from other types of skull fractures.

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