Question

Where does the hematoma occur specifically in relation to the skull, the dura mater, and the brain—between the skull and the dura mater, beneath the dura mater but outside the brain, or within the brain tissue?

Answer 1

An epidural hematoma occurs between the skull and the dura mater due to damage to an artery, typically beneath the pterion, leading to potentially life-threatening pressure on the brain.

Step-by-step explanation:

A hematoma resulting from a blow to the lateral side of the head, especially in the area of the pterion, can occur when the underlying artery is damaged and bleeds into the space between the brain and the skull. This specific type of hematoma is known as an epidural hematoma, and it forms between the inner surface of the skull and the dura mater,which is the tough outer covering of the brain and spinal cord.

The dura mater is directly attached to the bones of the cranium and encloses the entire central nervous system (CNS), including the major blood vessels entering the cranium and vertebral cavity. When an artery beneath the pterion is compromised, the sudden accumulation of blood in the epidural space can lead to an increase in intracranial pressure that can displace brain tissue, thereby causing significant neurological deficits or even death if not treated swiftly.