Normal Vascular Anatomy (Venous System)

Question 1

This vein/sinus is a midline structure situated in-between the inner table of the skull superiorly and the leaves of the falx cerebri laterally.

Answer 1

Superior sagittal sinus (SSS)

It is lined by endothelium that is continuous with that of the superficial cortical veins, most of which are between 0.1 and 1 mm in diameter.

There are no valves in the SSS.

Question 2

The SSS typically orinates where?

Answer 2

Near the crista gallu anteriorly and extends posteriorly to its confluence with the straight and lateral sinuses.

Question 3

This sinus is an inconstantly identified channel that runs it the inferior free margin of the falx cerebri.

Answer 3

Inferior sagittal sinus (ISS)

The ISS joins with the vein of Galen to form the straight sinus.

Question 4

This sinus is enclosed by the confluence of dura from the falx cerebri and tentorium cerebelli.

Answer 4

Straight sinus (SS)

Question 5

The SS courses backward and downward toward its confluence with the SSS, where they form what structure?

Answer 5

Torcular Herophili (confluens sinuum)

Question 6

The venous confluence (torchular Herophili) divides into what structures?

Answer 6

The transverse (lateral) and occipital sinuses

Question 7

Near the posterolateral wall of the petrous temporal bone the transverse sinus turn inferiorly to form what structure?

Answer 7

Sigmoid sinuses

Question 8

What structures pass through the cavernous sinus?

Answer 8

The ICA and cranial nerves III, IV, V1,and V2, and VI

They either course within the sinus it self or are contained in its lateral dural wall.

Question 9

The cavernous sinuses receive blood from what structures?

Answer 9

Superior and inferior ophthalmic veins and communicate with each other via intercavernous sinuses.

Question 10

The cerebral veins are typically divided into two groups.

What are these groups?

Answer 10

Superficial (cortical veins) and deep veins

Question 11

Most of the superficial cortical veins are unnamed, although the following three veins are often identified.

What are these veins?

Answer 11

1. Superficial middle cerebral vein (which runs along the sylvian fissure)
2. Vein of Trolard (a large anatomotic cerebral vein that courses cephalad from the sylvian fissure to the SSS)
3. Vein of Labbe (this vessel courses posterolaterally from the sylvian fissure to the transverse sinus

Question 12

The subcortical and deep white matter are drained by

what veins?

Answer 12

Medullary veins

They originate 1 to 2 cm below the cortex and course centrally toward the subependymal veins surrounding the cerebral ventricles.

The perivascular spaces that surrounds the medullary veins may also become quite prominent.

Question 13

This veins surround the lateral ventricles and receive venous blood from the medullary veins of the centrum semiovale.

Answer 13

Subependymal veins

Question 14

These veins are paired paramedian structures that run posteriorly in the velum interposition.

Answer 14

Internal cerebral vein (ICV)

The thalamostriate vein and septal vein join near the foramen of Monro to form the ICV.

Question 15

The internal cerebral vein receives prominent tributaries from the medial temporal lobes, which are the?

Answer 15

Basal veins of Rosenthal (BVR)

The BVRs course posterosuperiorly in the ambient cisterns and, with the ICVs, form the ven of Galen

Question 16

This is a prominent venous channel that curves posteriorly under the splenium of the corpus callosum.

Answer 16

Vein of Galen (great cerebral vein)

The vein of Galen and the inferior sagittal sinus unite to form the straight sinus.

Question 17

This is actually a plexus of numerous small veins along the lie along the surface of the pons and mesencephalon.

Answer 17

Anterior pontomesencephalic vein

Question 18

This vein lies in front of the cerebellar vermis just above and behind the roof of the fourth ventricle.

Answer 18

Precentral cerebellar vein

Question 19

Superior and inferior vermian veins drain what structures?

Answer 19

Cerebellar vermis

Hemispheric veins drain the hemisphere.

Vermian and hemispheric veins are tributaries of the tentorial sinuses, as well as the straight and transverse sinuses.