• Question: why is it that some people live after being shot in the head

    Asked by tommyboy to Betul, Bridget, Ceri-Wyn, Maria on 25 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Bridget Waller

      Bridget Waller answered on 24 Jun 2010:

      Good question. Basically, the brain is fairly flexible, and so if one bit is damaged (even in an extreme way like being shot!) the rest of the brain can compensate by taking over the function of that bit. It is really an incredible organ!

    • Photo: Ceri-Wyn Thomas

      Ceri-Wyn Thomas answered on 25 Jun 2010:

      Some gun shots might only glance off our skulls while others may only damage a portion of the brain without killing an individual. It’s the brain stem that controls our breathing and heart and this actually extends down the back of the nape of the neck and isn’t located at the top of our heads where our sensory, motor and thought functions occur- if you got shot in your brain stem then you most certainly would die. Not a very nice thought!

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