The sinus rectus is a blood conductor of the human brain. It runs in the back of the head. Venous blood flows in it.
What is the sinus rectus?
The human brain is supplied by various blood conduits. They consist of arteries, veins and sinus durae matris. Various messenger substances, cells or even blood plasma are transported in them. They supply the different brain areas and activate them. At the same time, they also transport cerebrospinal fluid. They are all assigned to the central nervous system. Venous blood flows in the veins and sinus durae matris. There are different veins that draw their paths on the superficial or in deeper tissue layers. Sinus rectus is one of the most important blood vessels of sinus durae matris. It flows along the occipital skull base along with the transverse sinus and the sigmoid sinus. Other important blood conduits include the superior and inferior sagittal sinuses and the cavernous sinus. Sinus thrombosis is one of the most important diseases. This involves the formation of a clot in the bloodstream that can cause blood stasis and eventually life-threatening conditions.
Anatomy and structure
There are several deep veins in the human brain. They drain blood in the diencephalon. They include the basal vein and the internal cerebral vein. With their branches, they supply areas of the basal ganglia, hypothalamus and midbrain. The venae basales and the venae internae cerebri on both sides of the brain eventually unite to form the vena magna cerebri. This has a short dorsal course. It flows in the direction of the back, where it opens into the sinus rectus. At the same time, the inferior saittal sinus ends in the rectus sinus. This previously runs along the inferior border of the falx cerebri. This is the cerebral crescent, which is surrounded by a hard meninges, the dura mater encephali. The sinus rectus continues to the confluens sinuum at the back of the skull. There it flows together with the superior sagittal sinus. The latter runs along the superior border of the falx cerebri. From the confluens sinuum, the transverse sinus directs to the right and left. It frames the posterior fossa of the skull.
Function and Tasks
Together with other blood conduits, the rectus sinus supplies the brain areas of the occipital region. In doing so, it drains surrounding tissue and supplies other deeper veins. Thus, it is responsible for supplying venous blood to further parts of the posterior head. Vital materials and substances are transported with the blood. These include protein-containing blood plasma, hormones, cells or oxygen. In a matter of seconds or minutes, these can pass through the various blood vessels from one place to another and exert their effect there. Transmitters in particular are transported via the bloodstream to their corresponding receptors. In this way, the individual functions of organs can be activated or even regulated. In addition, cerebrospinal fluid is transported away via the sinus rectus. This forms in the various cerebral ventricles as well as the interstitial spaces of the brain. The cerebrospinal fluid is called cerebrospinal fluid and is excreted via the bladder. The sinus rectus performs the function of temperature regulation in the brain. In order for the brain areas to pursue their activity, they require optimal warmth. Within the human organism there is approximately a temperature of 37 degrees. The blood keeps the heat in the body. If there is a rise or a sharp drop in temperature, the organism tries to compensate for this through the entire bloodstream. The venous blood in the sinus rectus is often used for control purposes for blood sampling during medical interventions. At the same time, it is used for the supply of medications or various messenger substances that are intended to improve health. This is also done within an operation.
Diseases
The blood conductors in the brain are well protected by the base of the skull. However, if damage to the vessel wall occurs due to accidents, falls, or during surgery, blood leaks out, which is difficult to stop. The bleeding leads to brain swelling and tissue displacement. The pressure within the brain increases. The result is headache, failure of affected areas, psychomotor slowing, or even impaired consciousness. In severe cases, loss of consciousness may also occur. Blood stasis in the rectus sinus is particularly dangerous.It can be caused by a blood clot and is called sinus thrombosis. The blood stasis causes brain cells to die. Many patients suffer permanent damage such as paralysis or speech disorders. A stroke or cerebral apoplexy may occur, which in some cases is fatal. Therefore, in case of spontaneously occurring feelings of tension in the head, urgency is required. A doctor should be consulted immediately. Important messenger substances are transported to a site of action via the blood and are also discharged. If a tumor develops in the human organism, there is a risk that tumor cells could become detached. These are then transported to other places in the human body via the various blood vessels. It is therefore possible that the sinus rectus could become such a blood conductor and lead to the formation of new metastases in an existing tumor disease. This would cause a cancer to spread further and overall minimize the chances of cure. The spread of viral or bacterial diseases is also a given. Via the blood, the viruses or bacteria reach other places in the organism, where they can further multiply and worsen the state of health.
