Groove for middle meningeal artery
Sulcus arteriae meningeae mediae
Definition
Several grooves for middle meningeal artery are located on the internal surfaces of the temporal and parietal bones. These grooves create a network that contains the middle meningeal artery and its branches. Beginning at the foramen spinosum, they stretch upward and backward across the internal surfaces of these bones.
A fracture in the squamous part of the temporal bone can cause the middle meningeal artery to rupture, leading to an epidural hemorrhage. This condition is a critical emergency that demands an urgent surgical intervention, such as a craniotomy or a burr hole operation, to remove the accumulated blood and prevent the brain from herniating.
References
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Text written by Muhammad A. Javaid, MD, PhD © 2024 IMAIOS.
Drake, R.L., Vogl, A.W. and Mitchell, A.W.M. (2009). ‘Chapter 8: Head and Neck’ in Gray’s anatomy for Students. (2nd ed.) Philadelphia PA 19103-2899: Elsevier, pp. 812.
White, T.D., Black, M.T. and Folkens, P.A. (2012). ‘Chapter 4 - Skull: Cranium and Mandible’ Editor(s): Tim D. White, Michael T. Black, Pieter A. Folkens. Human Osteology (3rd ed.), Academic Press, pp. 43-100.
Anderson, B.W., Kortz, M.W., Black, A.C., et al. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Skull. [Updated 2023 Nov 9]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499834/
