Cranial Venous Channels

Cranial Venous Channels Superior sagittal sinus Lies in the midline along the convex border of the falx cerebri. Begins at the crista galli and receives the cerebral, diploic meningeal, and parietal emissary veins. Inferior sagittal sinus Lies in the free edge of the falx cerebri and is joined by the great cerebral vein of Galen to form the straight sinus. Straight sinus Runs along the line of attachment of the falx cerebri to the tentorium cerebelli. Is formed by union of the inferior sagittal sinus and the great vein of Galen. Transverse sinus Runs laterally from the confluence of sinuses along the edge of the tentorium cerebelli. Sigmoid sinus Is a continuation of the transverse sinus; arches downward and medially in an S-shaped groove on the mastoid part of the temporal bone. Enters the superior bulb of the internal jugular vein. Cavernous sinuses Are located on each side of the sella turcica and the body of the sphenoid bone and lie between the meningeal and periosteal layers of the dura mater. The internal carotid artery and the abducens nerve pass through these sinuses. In addition, the oculomotor, trochlear, ophthalmic, and maxillary nerves pass forward in the lateral wall of these sinuses. Communicate with the pterygoid venous plexus by emissary veins and receive the superior ophthalmic vein. Superior petrosal sinus Lies in the margin of the tentorium cerebelli, running from the posterior end of the cavernous sinus to the transverse sinus. Inferior petrosal sinus Drains the cavernous sinus into the bulb of the internal jugular vein. Runs in a groove between the petrous part of the temporal bone and the basilar part of the occipital bone. Sphenoparietal sinus Lies along the posterior edge of the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone and drains into the cavernous sinus. Occipital sinus Lies in the falx cerebelli and drains into the confluence of sinuses. Basilar plexus Consists of interconnecting venous channels on the basilar part of the occipital bone and connects the two inferior petrosal sinuses. Communicates with the internal vertebral venous plexus. Diploic veins Lie in the skull and drain the diploic space and are connected with the cranial dura sinuses by the emissary veins. Emissary veins Are small veins connecting the venous sinuses of the dura with the diploic veins and the veins of the scalp. ◄.....Go back to the Gross Anatomy homepage