Final answer:
A trauma to the face and skull can cause fractures in the posterior wall of the nasal cavity, such as linear, comminuted, depressed, or contrecoup fractures. Fractures in the occipital bone can also occur, leading to a basilar fracture.
Step-by-step explanation:
A trauma to the face and skull that results in the posterior wall of the nasal cavity becoming unstable can be caused by a strong blow to the brain-case portion of the skull. This can lead to fractures in the skull, including a linear skull fracture, a comminuted fracture, a depressed fracture, or a contrecoup fracture. Fractures in the occipital bone at the base of the skull can also occur, resulting in a basilar fracture that can damage the artery passing through the carotid canal.