The brain sinuses, also known as the dural venous sinuses, are channels that drain venous blood from the brain and direct it into the internal jugular veins. Located between layers of the dura mater, these sinuses include the superior (SSS) and inferior sagittal (ISS) sinuses, straight sinus (SS), transverse sinuses (TS), sigmoid sinuses (SGS), and the cavernous sinus (CS), among others. The SSS runs along the midline of the brain’s superior edge within the attached margin of the falx cerebri.
The IFS runs along the inferior edge of the falx cerebri above the corpus callosum. The SS runs along the junction of the falx cerebri and tentorium cerebelli. The confluence of the Sinuses is situated at the internal occipital protuberance.Briefly, it is a meeting point for the SSS, SS, and OS. Blood then flows into the TS. The TS extends laterally from the sinuses’ confluence along the tentorium cerebelli’s posterior edge. The SGS follows an S-shaped path, running downward and medially to the jugular foramen. Continuation of the TS, they drain into the internal jugular veins.
These sinuses ensure the proper regulation of intracranial pressure and the removal of metabolic waste. Clinical conditions are affecting the dural sinuses, such as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), characterized by clot formation within the sinuses, leading to increased intracranial pressure, headaches, seizures, and potentially stroke. CVST can cause significant neurological impairments, including headaches, seizures, and strokes. Other related issues include sinusitis, meningiomas, and trauma-induced injuries, all of which underscore the importance of understanding the clinical implications of the dural sinuses for effective diagnosis and treatment.