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. 1992 Jan;2(1):11–16. doi: 10.1055/s-2008-1057107

The Organization of the Venous Spaces of the Cavernous Sinus

Luiz Carlos de Alencastro
PMCID: PMC1656397  PMID: 17170875

Abstract

The study of the venous channels in the cavernous sinus in 48 sphenoid bones was performed. Thirty-eight bones were electrolyticly decalcified, subsequently embedded in gelatin, and cut in 1 mm thick slices. Microdissection of the other ten specimens complemented the analysis. Every specimen had the venous structure arranged as a plexus, however, although the channels were variable in number, form, and diameter, the two sides were quite symmetrical. Channels of smaller diameter predominated anteriorly. There was no demonstrable muscular layer in these vessels; the endothelial lining was easily visualized. Fatty tissue separated the venous channels from each other and from arteries and nerves. The distance from the carotid artery and the lateral wall increased anteriorly, but there were significant veins between these two structures in only 35% of the cases. In about one third of specimens the oculomotor nerve was placed over the carotid artery. The abducens nerve was found to be intimately related to the lateral wall without any venous channels between them in 92% of the specimens.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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