Occipital sinus explained

Occipital sinus
Latin:sinus occipitalis
Drainsto:Confluence of sinuses

The occipital sinus is the smallest of the dural venous sinuses. It is usually unpaired, and is sometimes altogether absent. It is situated in the attached margin of the falx cerebelli. It commences near the foramen magnum, and ends by draining into the confluence of sinuses.

Occipital sinuses were discovered by Guichard Joseph Duverney.

Anatomy

The occipital sinus is present in around 65% of individuals.[1] It is usually single, but occasionally paired.[2]

It is situated in the attached margin of the falx cerebelli.

Course

The occipital sinus commences around the margin of the foramen magnum by several small venous channels (one of which joins the terminal part of the sigmoid sinus). It terminates by draining into the confluence of the sinuses.[3]

Communications

The occipital sinus communicates with the marginal sinus, and posterior internal vertebral venous plexuses.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sinus occipitalis . 11 April 2022 . Ars Neurochirurgica.
  2. Book: Gray, Henry . Gray's Anatomy . 1918 . 20th . 658.
  3. Book: Gray's anatomy : the anatomical basis of clinical practice . 2021 . Susan Standring . 978-0-7020-7707-4 . Forty-second . [New York] . 404 . 1201341621.