Pterion

Pterion is a specific area located on the side of the bony skull in the temporal region, where four bones meet. These bones include the frontal bone, parietal bone, greater wing of the sphenoid bone, and the temporal bone. The pterion marks the front end of the parietosquamous suture on the skull’s side.

The pterion region has an exceptionally thin skull bone. Consequently, it can be fractured if the head receives a traumatic injury to the side. On the inside of the skull bone in the pterion region, the middle meningeal artery passes just underneath it, located in the extradural or epidural space. If this artery ruptures, it can potentially result in an epidural or extradural hemorrhage, which is a critical condition that requires immediate attention. If not treated promptly, it can lead to brain herniation and death. The key to preventing high intracranial pressure and herniation is to evacuate the blood and relieve the pressure.