Extradural Haematoma — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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EasyAnatomy (Head & Neck)Extradural HaematomaMFDS Part 1

A blow to the temple fractures the pterion and ruptures the middle meningeal artery. In which anatomical compartment does the resulting haematoma classically accumulate?

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Correct answer: D — Extradural (epidural) space

The correct answer is D: the extradural (epidural) space. The middle meningeal artery and its branches are closely related to the inner skull and cranial dura, particularly near the pterion. When the artery is torn, accumulating blood strips the dura from the inner surface of the skull, forming an extradural haematoma. A subdural haematoma is usually associated with torn bridging veins and lies deep to the dura. Subarachnoid blood occupies the cerebrospinal-fluid-containing space between arachnoid and pia. Intracerebral haemorrhage lies within brain parenchyma, while a subpial collection lies beneath the pia and is not the classical result of middle meningeal artery rupture.

Reference: Kemp WJ III, Tubbs RS, Cohen-Gadol AA. Neuroanatomy, Middle Meningeal Arteries, section on clinical significance, PubMed record current in 2026. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30137830/