The cavernous sinus - boundaries (dave's notes)

Question 1

Where is the cavernous sinus located?

Answer 1

Alongside the body of the sphenoid in the middle cranial fossa, in the space between the body of the sphenoid and an inner layer fold of dura

Question 2

Where does the cavernous sinus receive blood from?

Answer 2

The orbit, vault bones, cerebral hemisphere

Question 3

What intersects the cavernous sinus?

Answer 3

Numerous septa

Question 4

How does the cavernous sinus drain?

Answer 4

Via the superior and inferior petrosal sinuses, and a small vein to the pterygoid plexus

Question 5

What invaginated the roof of the cavernous sinus?

Answer 5

The 3rd and 4th cranial nerves

Question 6

What makes up the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus?

Answer 6

A sheet of inner layer from the roof to the floor of the middle cranial fossa. The ophthalmic and maxillary branches of the 5th cranial nerve pass forwards in the lateral wall. Further laterally is the medial surface of the temporal love and posteriorly the trigeminal cave

Question 7

What makes up the anterior limit of the cavernous sinus?

Answer 7

Where the lateral wall meets the fusion of the endosteum of the greater wing of the sphenoid

Question 8

What makes the anterior wall of the cavernous sinus?

Answer 8

The narrow entrance of the ophthalmic veins, plugging th medial end of the superior orbital fissure

Question 9

What makes up the posterior limit of the lateral wall?

Answer 9

The lateral wall is attached medial to the foramen ovale of the trigeminal cave

Question 10

What makes up the posterior wall of the cavernous sinus?

Answer 10

An upward reflection of dura through which draining veins pass. Further posterior is the cerebral peduncle (the upper border of the pons)

Question 11

What does the medial wall of the cavernous sinus consist of?

Answer 11

Mostly the endosteum of the body of the sphenoid. Further medial is the pituitary fossa and the sphenoidal air sinus.

Question 12

What makes up the floor of the cavernous sinus?

Answer 12

A narrow strip of endosteum along the greater wing of the sphenoid, inferiorly lies the greater wing of the sphenoid

Question 13

What makes up the roof of the cavernous sinus?

Answer 13

Attached to the anterior and middle clinoid processes of the sphenoid bone. Superiorly in front is the ICA, further back is the uncus.

Question 14

Where does the cavernous sinus extend from and to? What shape does this make it?

Answer 14

From the apex of the orbit to the apex of the petrous bone, making it spindle shaped.