Final answer:
If a patient has cerebral swelling after a car crash, the injury is to the patient's brain. Car crashes can cause fractures around the pterion, leading to bleeding and the formation of a hematoma between the brain and skull.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a patient has cerebral swelling after a car crash, the injury is to the patient's brain. In car crashes, the head can experience a strong blow, leading to the fracture of bones around the pterion, an important clinical landmark. If the underlying artery is damaged, bleeding can cause the formation of a hematoma between the brain and interior of the skull, resulting in cerebral swelling and increased pressure on the brain.