Cavernous sinus

The cavernous sinus is an even dural venous sinus. It is located on either side of the floor of the middle cranial fossa and extends from the orbital fissure to the petro-occipital fissure.

Rostrally, the cavernous sinus communicates with the ophthalmic plexus via the orbital fissure. Laterally, each vein emits outflow veins which cross the round foramen, the oval foramen and the foramen lacerum to finish into the maxillary vein. Caudally, the cavernous sinus continues into the ventral petrosal sinus and is indirectly connected to the ventral internal vertebral plexus.

The two cavernous sinuses are connected medially by the intercavernous sinus, rostrally and caudally in relation to the dorsum sellae.

The cavernous sinus contains, free in its lumen, the internal carotid artery and the anastomotic branches of the middle meningeal artery and the external ophthalmic artery.