An epidural hematoma following temporal bone fracture is caused by rupture of which artery, and in which meningeal space does blood accumulate?

• A Middle meningeal artery; between dura mater and inner table of skull ✓
• B Bridging cortical veins; between arachnoid and dura mater
• C Middle meningeal artery; between arachnoid and pia mater
• D Anterior meningeal artery; between inner table and dura mater

Explanation

The middle meningeal artery, a branch of the maxillary artery that enters the skull through the foramen spinosum, runs in a groove on the inner surface of the temporal and parietal bones. Fracture of the temporal squama tears this artery, allowing arterial blood to accumulate between the dura and the skull (extradural space), forming a biconvex (lenticular) hematoma on CT. The classic 'lucid interval' before neurological deterioration differentiates it from subdural hematoma.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.