What describes an open head injury?

An open head injury is characterized by the penetration of an object through the skull, resulting in exposure of brain tissue. This type of injury typically occurs during traumatic incidents where sharp or pointed objects, such as knives or bullets, penetrate the cranial cavity. The exposure can lead to severe complications, including infection and significant damage to brain structures.

In contrast, options describing injuries related to blunt force or intact skulls do not fit the definition of an open head injury. For instance, a skull fracture without penetration or soft tissue injuries alone do not constitute an open head injury. The definition is specific to situations where there is a breach in the protective barriers of the skull and the brain itself, making option C the accurate representation of an open head injury.