Cerebral veins

Cerebral veins are veins that drain blood from the cerebrum of the brain. The blood from the brain is drained into sinuses, which are channels that transport blood back to the heart. The cerebral veins are part of the venous system of the body, which is responsible for returning deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

Etymology

The term "cerebral" is derived from the Latin word "cerebrum", which means brain. The term "vein" is derived from the Latin word "vena", which means blood vessel.

Anatomy

The cerebral veins can be divided into two groups: the superficial and the deep cerebral veins. The superficial veins drain the outer parts of the cerebrum, while the deep veins drain the inner parts.

Superficial cerebral veins

The superficial cerebral veins are located on the surface of the brain. They drain the cortex and underlying white matter. These veins include the superior cerebral veins, the middle cerebral veins, and the inferior cerebral veins.

Deep cerebral veins

The deep cerebral veins are located within the brain tissue. They drain the deep structures of the brain, such as the basal ganglia, thalamus, and hypothalamus. These veins include the internal cerebral veins, the basal veins, and the great cerebral vein.

Clinical significance

Cerebral veins are important in the context of several medical conditions. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a type of stroke caused by a blood clot in the cerebral veins. Symptoms can include headache, abnormal vision, and seizures. Cerebral edema, or swelling in the brain, can also occur if the cerebral veins are unable to drain blood effectively.

See also

• Cerebral circulation
• Cerebral venous sinus
• Vein
• Cerebrum

References

Cerebral veins Resources
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