Subdural hemorrhage is due to rupture of: Bihar 11
**Core Concept**
Subdural hemorrhage is a type of traumatic brain injury characterized by the accumulation of blood in the subdural space, which lies between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater of the meninges. This condition often results from a rupture of blood vessels in the subdural space, leading to bleeding.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is related to the pathophysiology of subdural hemorrhage. The subdural space is a potential space that contains a network of small veins that drain blood from the surface of the brain. When these veins are subjected to excessive stress or trauma, they can rupture, leading to bleeding into the subdural space. The bridging veins, which connect the surface of the brain to the dural sinuses, are particularly susceptible to rupture and are a common source of bleeding in subdural hemorrhage.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** The middle meningeal artery is a common source of bleeding in epidural hemorrhage, not subdural hemorrhage. The middle meningeal artery runs between the dura mater and the inner table of the skull and is more likely to be injured in a temporal bone fracture.
* **Option B:** The anterior communicating artery is a branch of the anterior cerebral artery that forms an anastomotic circle with other arteries in the brain. While it can be involved in intracranial aneurysms, it is not a common source of bleeding in subdural hemorrhage.
* **Option C:** The internal carotid artery is a major artery that supplies blood to the brain, but it is not a direct source of bleeding in subdural hemorrhage.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The bridging veins are a common source of bleeding in subdural hemorrhage, especially in elderly patients with cerebral atrophy. This is because the bridging veins are more susceptible to rupture in the setting of reduced cerebral compliance and increased venous pressure.
**Correct Answer:** C. The bridging veins are a common source of bleeding in subdural hemorrhage.