| Middle cerebral veins | |
| Latin: | venae mediae cerebri (superficialis et profunda) |
| Drainsto: | Cavernous sinus, basal vein |
| Artery: | Middle cerebral artery |
The middle cerebral veins - the superficial middle cerebral vein and the deep middle cerebral vein - are two veins running along the lateral sulcus. The superficial middle cerebral vein is also known as the superficial Sylvian vein, and the deep middle cerebral vein is also known as the deep Sylvian vein. The lateral sulcus is also known as the Sylvian fissure.
The superficial middle cerebral vein (superficial Sylvian vein) begins on the lateral surface of the hemisphere. It runs along the lateral sulcus to empty into either the cavernous sinus,[1] or sphenoparietal sinus. It is adherent to the deep surface of the arachnoid mater bridging the lateral sulcus. It drains the adjacent cortex.
At its posterior extremity, the superficial middle cerebral vein is connected with the superior sagittal sinus via the superior anastomotic vein, and with the transverse sinus via the inferior anastomotic vein.
The deep middle cerebral vein (deep Sylvian vein) receives tributaries from the insula and neighboring gyri, and runs in the lower part of the lateral sulcus.