Middle cerebral veins

Middle Cerebral Veins are a group of veins in the brain that drain blood from the cerebral cortex. They are part of the cerebral venous system and play a crucial role in the circulation of blood in the brain.

Etymology

The term "Middle Cerebral Veins" is derived from the Latin words 'medius' meaning middle, 'cerebrum' meaning brain, and 'vena' meaning vein.

Anatomy

Middle Cerebral Veins are located in the Sylvian fissure, a deep fissure in the brain that separates the frontal lobe and parietal lobe from the temporal lobe. They receive blood from the cerebral cortex and drain into the cavernous sinus or the superior petrosal sinus.

Function

The primary function of the Middle Cerebral Veins is to drain deoxygenated blood from the brain's cortex. They play a crucial role in maintaining the brain's blood-brain barrier, a protective barrier that prevents potentially harmful substances in the blood from entering the brain.

Clinical Significance

Abnormalities or damage to the Middle Cerebral Veins can lead to serious medical conditions such as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, a type of stroke caused by a blood clot in the brain's venous sinuses.

Related Terms

• Cerebral cortex
• Cerebral venous system
• Sylvian fissure
• Frontal lobe
• Parietal lobe
• Temporal lobe
• Cavernous sinus
• Superior petrosal sinus
• Blood-brain barrier
• Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis

Middle cerebral veins Resources
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