Battle's sign refers to bruising behind which location?

Battle's sign refers to bruising behind which location?

• A. Temple
• B. Behind the eye
• C. Behind the ear
• D. On the jaw

Answer: (C)

Battle's sign is bruising that appears over the mastoid process, which is located behind the ear. This pattern happens when a base of skull fracture allows blood to collect in the soft tissues around the mastoid air cells. It’s a late indicator, often showing up hours after the injury, and it signals a serious head injury that requires urgent care. In practice, treat the patient as having a possible basilar skull fracture: stabilize the neck and spine, ensure the airway, and transport promptly while avoiding anything that could worsen a skull fracture (such as nasal airways or forcing drainage from the ears). Bruising behind the temple or on the jaw isn’t Battle’s sign; bruising behind the eye is a different sign associated with skull base trauma, but Battle’s sign specifically points to behind the ear.

Battle's sign is bruising that appears over the mastoid process, which is located behind the ear. This pattern happens when a base of skull fracture allows blood to collect in the soft tissues around the mastoid air cells. It’s a late indicator, often showing up hours after the injury, and it signals a serious head injury that requires urgent care. In practice, treat the patient as having a possible basilar skull fracture: stabilize the neck and spine, ensure the airway, and transport promptly while avoiding anything that could worsen a skull fracture (such as nasal airways or forcing drainage from the ears). Bruising behind the temple or on the jaw isn’t Battle’s sign; bruising behind the eye is a different sign associated with skull base trauma, but Battle’s sign specifically points to behind the ear.