Superior petrosal sinus

Superior Petrosal Sinus

Illustration of the Superior Petrosal Sinus

The Superior Petrosal Sinus is a dural venous sinus located within the human brain. It plays a crucial role in the drainage of blood from the brain to the internal jugular vein.

Anatomy

The Superior Petrosal Sinus begins at the posterior end of the cavernous sinus, and, in its course, forms the upper boundary of the internal acoustic meatus. It ends by joining the sigmoid sinus at the jugular foramen. It is smaller than the inferior petrosal sinus and lies in the attached margin of the tentorium cerebelli, and in the superior petrosal sulcus between the temporal lobe and cerebellum.

Function

The primary function of the Superior Petrosal Sinus is to drain blood from the center of the brain. It collects blood from the cerebellum, the brainstem, and the back of the cerebrum, and channels it into the transverse sinus.

Clinical Significance

In certain medical conditions, such as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, the Superior Petrosal Sinus can become blocked, leading to a build-up of pressure in the brain. This can cause symptoms such as headache, seizures, and neurological deficits.

See Also

• Dural venous sinuses
• Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis
• Inferior petrosal sinus