VB
Vikas Bhardwaj
Medical Technologist, AIIMS New Delhi
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
**Core Concept**
The patient is likely suffering from a traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage or an epidural hematoma, which can be caused by a severe head injury. The question is asking about the artery most commonly involved in such a condition, which is a critical piece of information for diagnosis and management.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is the middle meningeal artery, which is a branch of the maxillary artery. This artery passes through the foramen spinosum to reach the dura mater, where it supplies blood to the meninges and the calvaria. An injury to the skull can lead to damage to this artery, causing bleeding and potentially life-threatening conditions such as an epidural hematoma.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** The anterior cerebral artery is not typically involved in traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage or epidural hematoma.
**Option B:** The posterior cerebral artery is not the most commonly involved artery in this condition.
**Option C:** The internal carotid artery is a major artery, but it is not the most commonly involved artery in traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage or epidural hematoma.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The middle meningeal artery is a critical structure to identify in cases of head trauma, as damage to this artery can lead to severe bleeding and potentially life-threatening conditions.
**Correct Answer: C. The middle meningeal artery passes through the foramen spinosum to reach the dura mater.**