The middle meningeal artery is the largest artery supplying the dura mater, arising from the maxillary artery in the infratemporal fossa. It enters the skull through the foramen spinosum, runs in a groove on the inner surface of the temporal and parietal bones in an extradural position, and divides into anterior and posterior branches that supply the dura over the cerebral convexities. The anterior branch is closely related to the pterion, the thinnest part of the skull.
The middle meningeal artery is the vessel most commonly responsible for extradural (epidural) haematoma following temporal bone fracture. The classic history involves a lucid interval after transient concussion, followed by rapid neurological deterioration as the accumulating arterial blood displaces the dura from the inner calvaria and compresses the underlying brain. CT shows a biconvex (lens-shaped) hyperdense collection that does not cross suture lines. Urgent surgical drainage via craniotomy or burr hole is required when there is mass effect or neurological deterioration.
Traumatic rupture of the middle meningeal artery, typically from a temporal bone fracture at the pterion, produces rapid accumulation of arterial blood between the dura and inner skull table, presenting with the classic lucid interval followed by rapid neurological deterioration, requiring urgent CT diagnosis and neurosurgical evacuation.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
