Superior Sagittal Sinus: Normal and Varied Anatomy and Associated Clinical Implications |Chapter 13 | Medical Science: Updates and Prospects Vol. 7

 

The superior sagittal sinus is the largest venous sinus enclosed in two layers of the dura mater and situated in the midline in the groove in the parietal bone. The superior sagittal sinus drains blood from the cerebral hemisphere of the brain. It begins at the foramen cecum anteriorly and ends at the confluence of sinuses posteriorly. The superior sagittal sinus is divided into three types, namely, the anterior part extending from the foramen cecum to bregma, the middle part extending from bregma to lambda and the posterior part spanning from lambda to confluence of venous sinuses.

 

The anatomical variations of the superior sagittal sinus are common and may involve any of the three parts mentioned, but most commonly involve the cranial part of the superior sagittal sinus. Various variations observed in the cranial part of the superior sagittal sinus include hypoplasia, which may be unilateral or complete and duplication. These variations are important for neurologists and radiologists as they may be mistaken for venous sinus thrombosis, leading to misdiagnosis and mismanagement. The chapter throws light on the normal configurations, variations in its configuration, embryological aspect along with the repercussions of the varied configuration of the superior sagittal sinus. Knowledge of the anatomical variations of the dural venous sinuses is clinically significant during neurosurgical procedures involving the cranial cavity. For surgical resection of the petroclival meningiomas, the information regarding the patterns of drainage of the confluence of sinuses is of paramount importance. Lack of awareness of the detailed anatomy of the dural venous sinuses may lead to misinterpretation of radiographs of the posterior cranial fossa and subsequent mismanagement. Therefore, comprehensive knowledge of the anatomical variations of the superior sagittal sinus is essential for accurate radiological interpretation and safe neurosurgical intervention.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Rajani Singh
Department of Anatomy, Graphic Era of Medical Sciences, Dhulkot 248007, Dehradun, UK, India.

 

K. C. Thakur
Department of Anatomy, Graphic Era of Medical Sciences, Dhulkot 248007, Dehradun, UK, India.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msup/v7/7312