Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

In which space does a subdural hematoma accumulate blood?

1. Outside the skull but beneath the skin

2. Within the cranial cavity

3. Beneath the dura mater but outside the brain

4. Inside the ventricles of the brain

The correct answer is: Beneath the dura mater but outside the brain

A subdural hematoma specifically accumulates blood beneath the dura mater but outside the brain tissue itself. The dura mater is one of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, and it sits just below the skull. When a hematoma occurs in this space, it’s usually a result of trauma that causes veins bridging the space between the brain and the dura to rupture, leading to blood leakage. This accumulation of blood can create pressure on the brain, potentially affecting neurological function. The clarity of the anatomical position is important; the subdural space is not outside of the cranial cavity nor within the brain tissue itself, which differentiates it from other types of hematomas or spaces, such as those that occur inside the ventricles of the brain or beneath the scalp. Understanding the precise location of a subdural hematoma is critical for diagnosis and treatment, as the intervention needed may differ greatly from other kinds of hematomas.