AST Surgical Technologist Practice Exam

What type of hematoma results from torn bridging meningeal veins?

1. Extradural

2. Subdural

3. Intracerebral

4. Subarachnoid

The correct answer is: Subdural

A subdural hematoma occurs when there is tearing of the bridging veins that run between the brain's surface and the dural venous sinuses. These veins can be stretched or torn due to trauma or sudden acceleration or deceleration, leading to blood accumulation in the subdural space, which is located between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater. This can result in various symptoms, depending on the size of the hematoma and the pressure it exerts on the surrounding brain tissue. In contrast, an extradural hematoma is typically associated with arterial bleeding, usually caused by traumatic injury to an artery located between the skull and the dura mater. Intracerebral hematomas involve bleeding within the brain itself, usually due to hypertension or trauma, and subarachnoid hematomas involve bleeding in the space between the brain and the tissues covering it, often due to the rupture of an aneurysm. Understanding these distinctions helps in diagnosing and managing head injuries correctly.