Subarachnoid hemorrhage involves bleeding into which space?

Subarachnoid hemorrhage involves bleeding into which space?

• A. Bleeding into the subarachnoid space
• B. Bleeding into the ventricles
• C. Bleeding under the dura
• D. Bleeding in brain tissue

Answer: (A)

Subarachnoid hemorrhage refers to bleeding into the subarachnoid space—the gap between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater that normally contains cerebrospinal fluid and the surface vessels of the brain. When blood floods this space, it irritates the meninges and can cause a sudden, severe headache and neck stiffness. This location is distinct from other hemorrhage sites: bleeding into the ventricles is intraventricular hemorrhage, bleeding under the dura is a subdural hematoma, and bleeding within brain tissue is intraparenchymal (intracerebral) hemorrhage. So the best description is bleeding into the subarachnoid space.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage refers to bleeding into the subarachnoid space—the gap between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater that normally contains cerebrospinal fluid and the surface vessels of the brain. When blood floods this space, it irritates the meninges and can cause a sudden, severe headache and neck stiffness. This location is distinct from other hemorrhage sites: bleeding into the ventricles is intraventricular hemorrhage, bleeding under the dura is a subdural hematoma, and bleeding within brain tissue is intraparenchymal (intracerebral) hemorrhage. So the best description is bleeding into the subarachnoid space.