This question is a little complicated, but I need to know this for a book I'm writing. Say someone is shot in the head. lol. If the round just happened to only hit the part of the brain responsible for rational thought and consciouness and did not affect the more vital parts of the brain, could the person not only live, but function?
Meaning, if the part of the brain that was damaged was intact enough to provide just enough for the person to be aware of their surroundings and in a sense consciouness, would they be able to walk around, have decent motor skills, and do things such as open doors, walk down stairs, maybe even fight?
I know that if you did happen to be shot in the head and live you would probably be unconsciouness and if you walked around and such you would lose too much blood. But in theory, would you be able to function?
2007-12-20 14:04:24 · 12 answers · asked by Devin M 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Well thank you all the does really help, but I forgot to clarify one thing. I meant that in the immediate time frame directly after the person was shot, meaning that they just sustained the wound, would they be able to function?
2007-12-20 14:13:18 · update #1
In the immediate time frame, the victim would probably lose consciousness for a little while. Bullets produce a pretty big shock wave when they hit tissue, so it would be like getting hit in the head with any other object (with your assumption that it didn't hit anything vital). Depending on how big the shockwave is (and assuming that the bullet doesn't hit a major blood vessel), it could be as simple as a concussion, or as bad as a coma.
The shockwave would depend on the bullet, as well. A jacketed small caliber bullet would probably pass through comparatively easily, while a large caliber hollow-point or fragmenting bullet would make survival more difficult.
2007-12-21 07:50:18 · answer #1 · answered by andymanec 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a pretty interesting book you're writing.
Yes, it's possible for someone who's been shot in the head to survive, and to function, albeit usually with some impairment. It all depends upon where the bullet lands, and what kind of damage is done.
In theory, if it were a pretty low power round, you could just damage the frontal lobe, and have basically the same effect as a frontal lobotomy, which might be really interesting in your narrative, as it basically functions as a personality removal. But, there have also been cases where people have had really profound head injuries, and recovered to be pretty much normal. So, go with it where you will.
EDIT: To answer your additional details, if you got the headshot just right in the story, your victim could conceivably walk around with a hole in his head for a few hours, or maybe a couple of days, provided the shot didn't damage any major blood vessels. The brain doesn't really bleed much, but the scalp does, so he'd look pretty awful. After a day or two, though, he'd start to have some major complications, and probably die.
2007-12-20 14:10:17 · answer #2 · answered by Emmy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, it depends on what part of the brain you were shot on, what kind of bullet it was, and how much blood was lost. It's fact that there is a 95% fatality rate if your shot in the head. So, it's very very unlikely but it's possible. Maybe if the bullet grazed the head or maybe if the bullet didn't fully penetrate the skull. But more times than not, a person who has been shot in the head, in the brain, and survived would more than likely either be a vegatable or in a comatose state for the rest of their probably brief life.
2007-12-20 14:10:15 · answer #3 · answered by laangel464 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, depending on what part of the brain the bullet gets lodge in. If it hits I think it's the hypocampus then memory can be affected, they can get retroactive amnesia, for instance, but still live, and even remain conscious. Or it can seriously mess up their balance (that's what happened to a guy I know who was shot by a rival gang, he has to use a cane now).
2007-12-20 14:35:05 · answer #4 · answered by Kelsey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I've seen one person function normally who did not realize that she too had been shot. Only for a while until her brain started swelling though. She lived and has a metal plate in her head. I've seen several cases like this on TLC and Discovery Health too. I saw a guy who had been stabbed all the way through the head too. His x-ray was wicked, as the fairly large knife was stuck in it. TLC also.
2007-12-20 14:10:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe. There was a guy on Rippleys that was stabbed in the head with a HUGE knife right through the brain and survived! Look it up it's creepy interesting.......
And this other guy got shot in the head with a nail and it went in his brain and he went days without noticing. It made his mouth hurt or something so he went to the dentist and told him and he said that he had a nail in his head!!
2007-12-20 14:07:22 · answer #6 · answered by Kira 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, it is pretty common for people who get shot in the head to get up and walk so I'd say the answer is YES.
2007-12-20 14:29:18 · answer #7 · answered by dreamgirl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends where and the brain ability to repair itself. You have to be pretty lucky too.
2007-12-20 14:37:55 · answer #8 · answered by sparkles 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, provided they're willing to apologize to the VP who shot them.
2007-12-20 14:06:52 · answer #9 · answered by Whigwham 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes... George Bush has been doing it for 8 years!... Oh, wait... he's touched in the head! My bad!
2007-12-20 14:08:05 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋