Why do bridging veins rupture into the virtual subdural space?
Electron microscopic data on human bridging veins show thin walls of variable thickness, circumferential arrangement of collagen fibres and a lack of outer reinforcement by arachnoid trabecules, all contributory to the subdural portion of the vein being more fragile than its subarachnoid portion. These features explain the laceration of veins and the subdural location of resultant haematomas.
D000368:Aged; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000473:pathology; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000098:blood supply*; D004727:Endothelium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006408:Hematoma, Subdural / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000473:pathology*; D014680:Veins / Q000473:pathology