Question

There is most likely a tear in the wall of which blood vessel in this patient with an epidural bleed?

A. Posterior cerebral artery
B. Middle cerebral artery
C. Anterior communicating artery
D. Anterior cerebral artery
E. Middle meningeal artery

Answer 1

The most likely source of an epidural bleed is a tear in the middle meningeal artery, which is prone to injury during trauma.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient with an epidural bleed is most likely to have a tear in the middle meningeal artery. This artery is not directly mentioned in the provided context, but it is well-documented in medical literature as the most common source of an epidural hematoma. While the anterior cerebral artery, middle cerebral artery, and anterior communicating artery are important cerebral vessels contributing to the circle of Willis, they are not typically associated with epidural hemorrhages. Such hemorrhages are most often linked to trauma where the artery can be torn due to its close anatomical relationship with the bones of the skull. The correct answer to the question is E. Middle meningeal artery.