Anatomy of the Brain and Venous Sinuses

18 Questions

What is the location of the superior sagittal sinus?

Along the upper convex margin of the falx cerebri

Which of the following sinuses receives blood from the superior cerebral veins?

Superior sagittal sinus

What is the direction of blood flow in the superior sagittal sinus?

From before backwards

What is the termination point of the superior sagittal sinus?

Internal occipital protuberance

Which type of dural venous sinus is the superior sagittal sinus?

Single dural venous sinus

What is the shape of the lumen of the superior sagittal sinus in cross-section?

Triangular

Which dural venous sinus is the direct continuation of the transverse sinus at the postero inferior angle of the parietal bone?

Sigmoid sinus

What is the course of the middle meningeal artery in the middle cranial fossa?

Runs forwards and laterally on the floor of the cranial cavity

Which vein is in closer proximity to the bone than the middle meningeal artery?

Middle meningeal vein

What is the termination of the sigmoid sinus?

Ends by passing through the posterior compartment of the jugular foramen

Which of the following is NOT a dural venous sinus?

Inferior cerebral vein

What is the origin of the middle meningeal artery?

Branch of the maxillary artery

What is the function of the emissary veins connected to the superior sagittal sinus?

To connect it with the veins of the scalp

Where does the inferior sagittal sinus terminate?

At the middle of the anterior free margin of the tentorium cerebelli

What is the name of the sinus that forms when the inferior sagittal sinus joins the great cerebral vein?

Straight sinus

What is the location of the occipital sinus?

In the attached margin of the falx cerebri

Where does the superior sagittal sinus terminate?

At the beginning of the transverse sinus

What is the purpose of the dural venous sinuses?

To drain blood from the cranial cavity

Study Notes

Dural Venous Sinuses

Single dural venous sinuses: Superior Sagittal Sinus, Inferior Sagittal Sinus, Straight Sinus, Occipital Sinus, Basilar Plexus of Sinuses
Paired dural venous sinuses: Sphenoparietal sinus, Inferior petrosal sinus, Cavernous sinus, Superior petrosal sinus, Sigmoid sinus, Transverse sinus

Superior Sagittal Sinus

Occupies the upper convex margin of the falx cerebri
Begins anteriorly at the foramen caecum
Runs upwards and backwards, making a groove on the inferior surface of the vault of the skull
Terminates at the internal occipital protuberance by becoming one of the transverse sinuses, usually the right
Lumen becomes progressively larger from before backwards and is triangular in cross section
Direction of blood flow: From before backwards
Tributaries: Superior cerebral veins, Posterior Temporal Diploic Vein, The superior petrosal sinus, The occipital sinus, Inferior cerebral veins, Occipital Diploic Vein

Sigmoid Sinus

Origin: Direct continuation of the transverse sinus at the postero inferior angle of the parietal bone
Shape: S-shaped
Course: Runs downwards and medially in the sigmoid sulcus
Termination: Ends by passing through the posterior compartment of the jugular foramen to become the internal jugular vein
Communicates with: Suboccipital plexus of veins, Occipital Sinus, Occipital and/or Posterior auricular veins

Middle Meningeal Artery

Origin: Branch of the first part of the maxillary artery, given off in the infratemporal fossa
Course in the middle cranial fossa: Enters the fossa through the foramen spinosum, runs forwards and laterally on the floor of the cranial cavity
Divides into: Anterior (frontal) branch and posterior (parietal) branch
Anterior (frontal) branch: Larger and more important than the posterior
Parietal emissary veins: Connecting it with the veins of the scalp
Emissary vein: Passing through the foramen caecum to connect it with the veins of the nose

Inferior Sagittal Sinus

Site: Enclosed in the posterior 2/3 of the lower concave free margin of the falx cerebri
Termination: Ends at the middle of the anterior free margin of tentorium cerebelli by joining the great cerebral vein to form the straight sinus

Straight Sinus

Site: In the median plane within the junction of the falx cerebri and tentorium cerebelli
Formation: By the union of the inferior sagittal sinus with the great cerebral vein
Termination: Ends at the internal occipital protuberance by becoming one of the transverse sinuses, usually the left

Occipital Sinus

Site: Lies in the attached margin of falx cerebelli

Test your knowledge of the brain's anatomy, including the meningeal layers, veins, and venous sinuses. Identify the different parts of the brain and their functions.

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