American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

Where are epidural hemorrhages located?

1. Between the skull and the brain

2. Between the dura and the skull

3. Within the skull

4. Inside the dura

The correct answer is: Between the dura and the skull

Epidural hemorrhages are located between the dura mater and the skull. The dura mater is the tough, outermost layer of the meninges that encase the brain and spinal cord, while the skull is the bony structure that protects the brain. When there is trauma to the head, blood can accumulate in the space between the dura mater and the inner surface of the skull, a scenario known as an epidural hematoma. This accumulation of blood can lead to increased intracranial pressure and other serious complications, making prompt diagnosis and treatment critical. Other options do not accurately describe the location of an epidural hemorrhage. Hemorrhages between the skull and the brain would refer to subdural or intracerebral locations, while describing the hemorrhage as occurring within the skull without specifying the exact layer of the meninges doesn't provide the precise anatomical context needed for understanding epidural hemorrhages. Similarly, an inside-the-dura location would pertain to different types of hemorrhages, such as subdural hematomas.