Diffuse axonal injury belongs to less frequently diagnosed traumatic brain injuries. However, it shows that it may be more frequent than earlier supposed. The diagnostics is difficult because it is frequently combined with other types of trauma. It develops after a closed head and brain injury. It belongs to diffuse brain injuries and represents the primary effect of the injury. It develops as a result of inertia, rotation or angular forces, and rapid changes of the head movement with functional or structural correlates. The paper includes knowledge of the origin, terminology, incidence, mechanisms of development, pathophysiology, microscopical and macroscopical pathological and anatomical representation of the diffuse axonal injury.

        Key words: diffuse axonal injury, head injury, traumatic brain injury, pathophysiology, pathological and anatomical findings