Transverse sinus

Transverse sinus

The Transverse sinus (also known as the lateral sinus or sigmoid sinus) is a part of the dural venous sinuses system, which is responsible for draining blood from the brain. It is located in the posterior part of the head and runs laterally along the inside of the skull.

Anatomy

The transverse sinus begins at the confluence of sinuses, near the internal occipital protuberance. It runs laterally in a groove along the interior surface of the occipital bone, and on the tentorium cerebelli, a fold of dura mater that separates the cerebellum from the inferior portion of the occipital lobes. The transverse sinus then continues as the sigmoid sinus, which ultimately connects to the internal jugular vein.

Function

The primary function of the transverse sinus is to facilitate the drainage of blood from the brain. It collects blood from the superior sagittal sinus and drains into the sigmoid sinus. The blood then flows into the internal jugular vein, which carries it away from the brain and back towards the heart.

Clinical significance

Conditions that affect the transverse sinus can have serious implications for brain health. These include thrombosis, where a blood clot forms in the sinus, and sinusitis, an inflammation of the sinus. Both conditions can lead to increased intracranial pressure and other neurological symptoms.

See also

• Dural venous sinuses
• Sigmoid sinus
• Internal jugular vein