DURAL VENOUS SINUSES

definition

1.Venous spaces present between

the two layers of dura
2.Lined by endothelium

3.Devoid of valves
 definition
4.Do not have muscle coat
in their tunica adventitia.
5.Contain CSF
 Classification
Paired and unpaired

Paired are:
Cavernous sinuses J
Petrosal sinuses H,I
Transverse sinuses G
Sigmoid sinuses C
Sphenoparietal sinuses A
 unpaired are:
Superior sagittal sinus
Inferior sagittal sinus
Straight sinus
Occipital sinus
Basilar plexus of sinuses
Dural Venous Sinuses:
Lateral View
A. Superior Sagittal Sinus

B. Great Cerebral Vein

C. Ophthalmic Veins

D. Facial Vein

E. Cavernous Sinus

F. Inferior Petrosal Sinus

G. Jugular Vein

H. Sigmoid Sinus

I. Superior Petrosal Sinus

J. Transverse Sinus

K. Straight Sinus
 Cavernous sinus
Situated on either side of the body of sphenoid
Extends from superior orbital fissure
To the apex of petrous temporal
 Relations

Medially related to pituitary gland

and sphenoidal air sinus
Lateral wall contains
III,IV,V1,V2 nerves
Passing through the sinus are ICA and Abducent nerve
 Connections

It receives tributaries from brain

bones(skull),pterygoid plexus,
orbit and the eye(central vein of retina)
Superior and inferior ophthalmic
veins (from the orbit)
are regarded as emissary veins
as they do not have valves.
 Ophthalmic veins also have communication
with the facial vein(c&d) so the infections from
the ‘dangerous area’ of face can spread to
Cavernous sinus causing thrombosis.
drainage
 Applied anatomy
1.infections from face, orbit,shenoid sinus
can cause thrombosis.
2.III,IV,V1,V2,VI can be involved resulting in
various diplopias
3.rupture of ICA can cause pulsatile exophthalmos

Caput medusae in cavernous sinus thrombosis

MR image at the level of the pituitary stalk
shows bilateral involvement of the cavernous sinuses
with narrowing of the right internal carotid artery
due to infiltration of the lesion (arrows).
 Superior sagittal sinus
Situated along the upper margin of the falx cerebri
Begins at the foramen caecum near crista galli
(by the union of small veins from the nasal cavity)
enlarges as it passes posterior
Usually turns to the right side and
forms the right transverse sinus
 Superior sagittal sinus

Presents gaps called “lacunae laterales” which are

Three on each side usually.
Arachnoid villi project into these
playing important role in CSF circulation
Arachnoid villi projecting into the sinus
Arachnoid foveae
 Tributaries of sup.sagittal sinus

1.superior cerebral veins from brain

2.emissary veins from the scalp
3.diploic veins and nose
 1.infections can spread from scalp,nasal cavity
causing thrombosis.
2. It can be used to draw venous blood/
fluid administration through the anterior fontanelle
 Transverse sinuses

Grooving the inner aspect of occipital bone

Transverse sinuses receive the cavernous sinuses
through superior petrosal sinuses.

Right transverse sinus is usually larger

than the left
because it is the continuation of
superior sagittal sinus(!)
Left transverse sinus is formed
by the continuation of straight
sinus.
Straight sinus is formed by union
of inferior sagittal sinus and
great cerebral vein ( of Galen)

Straight sinus
Sigmoid sinuses
Continuations of transverse sinuses
Groove the inner aspect of posteroinferior angle
of parietal bone(mastoid angle)
Pass into jugular foramina and continue as
Internal jugular veins(IJV)
Groove for sigmoid sinus

P
T
asterion

O
Close relation of sigmoid sinus with the mastoid process

Sigmoid sinus

Mastoid process
Sigmoid sinus thrombosis can occur
as a complication of otitis media
(middle ear infection)
Identify