An extradural haematoma classically results from rupture of which vessel following a temporal bone fracture?

• A Middle meningeal vein
• B Superior sagittal sinus
• C Superficial temporal artery
• D Middle meningeal artery ✓

Explanation

The middle meningeal artery, a branch of the maxillary artery, enters the skull through the foramen spinosum and runs in grooves on the inner surface of the squamous temporal bone. Fracture of the temporal bone (pterion region — thinnest part of skull, where four bones meet) tears the middle meningeal artery, causing arterial bleeding that strips the dura from the skull — forming a biconvex (lenticular) extradural haematoma. The classic lucid interval followed by rapid deterioration is characteristic. Dural sinuses give subdural bleeds; superficial temporal artery is extracranial.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.