The superior sagittal sinus is a blood pathway in the human brain. It is an important blood conductor in supplying the brain. Venous blood flows in it.
What is the superior sagittal sinus?
There are various blood vessels for adequate blood supply in the human brain. They are components of the central nervous system. They include cerebral arteries, the durae matris sinus, and several superficial and deep veins. Venous blood flows in the dural sinuses and the various veins. The most important sinus durae matris are the superior sagittal sinus, the inferior sagittal sinus, the transverse sinus, the sigmoid sinus, and the cavernous sinus. All together they cover the entire area below the base of the skull and between the hemispheres. The superior sagittal sinus is the largest blood conductor in the human brain. It is located in the anterior to middle region below the skull base. Various veins flow from it and transport blood to the upper layers of brain tissue. These are the superficial veins called superior cerebral veins. In them, rapid transport of various neurotransmitters and other substances takes place. Within seconds or minutes, nutrients can reach a site of action via the superior sagittal sinus. Cerebrospinal fluid can be removed through it just as quickly.
Anatomy and structure
Beneath the skullcap is the hard meninges. This is called the dura mater. It forms duplications, giving rise to cavities in the tissue through which various venous blood conduits pass. The blood conduits are called sinus durae matris or dural sinus. They contain all the blood from the brain area, the orbits as well as the meninges. The blood conductors transport almost all of the blood to the venae jugularis intera. This is located in the foramen jugulare of the posterior fossa. The superior sagittal sinus is the largest blood conductor. It runs along the upper border of the crescent of the brain. It is referred to as the falx cerebri. To be distinguished from it is the inferior sagittal sinus. This is located at the lower edge of the cerebral crescent. Several superficial veins branch off from the superior sagittal sinus. They are called venae cerebri. Their function is to provide blood supply to the superficial area of the brain tissue. They include the temporal veins, the frontal veins, the central veins, the parietal veins, and the superior occipital veins. The superior sagittal sinus subsequently merges into the transverse sinus, which subsequently merges into the sigmoid sinus.
Function and Tasks
The superior sagittal sinus is responsible for supplying the brain tissue in the anterior and middle regions of the brain. In doing so, it supplies the meninges as well as the surrounding tissue. In addition, it provides blood for all superficial cerebral veins in the frontal region. Vital messenger substances are transported via the blood. The various blood conductors have the function of passing on the different active substances in their blood vessels within a short time. The transport substances include cells, oxygen, blood plasma or hormones. They are used to activate and regulate the individual functions of the organs. In addition, the so-called cerebrospinal fluid is transported away via the superior sagittal sinus. This is cerebrospinal fluid that forms in the cerebral ventricles or internal interstitial spaces of the brain tissue. In addition, the blood vessels in the human organism have the task of regulating heat within the body. The superior sagittal sinus ensures that the frontal brain areas maintain the proper temperature to perform their activities at a sufficient level. Venous blood flows in the superior sagittal sinus. All venous blood conduits in the body are characterized by the fact that their vessel wall is thinner than that of arteries. For this reason, they are widely used for the supply of messenger substances, as well as for blood sampling. Within a surgical procedure, the superior sagittal sinus serves the surgeon for these purposes, so that changes can be checked in a short way. In addition, its size makes it a blood vessel that allows rapid access and is therefore readily used.
Diseases
In case of damage to the superior sagittal sinus as a result of accidents, falls or within surgical procedures, it is important to act quickly.As the largest blood conductor in the human brain, a lot of blood flows through it. Therefore, lesions of the vessel wall quickly lead to hemorrhages that are difficult to stop. Disturbances of consciousness or loss of consciousness are the consequences. If drainage disorders occur in the area of the blood vessel, blood clots can be the trigger. They block the superior sagittal sinus and cause blood stasis. The development of sinus thrombosis is likely. Headaches, epileptic seizures, or delayed psychomotor function are then diagnosed. There is brain swelling and, in severe cases, failure of the affected areas of the brain. Thrombosis in the brain is considered particularly dangerous because it can trigger strokes. These, in turn, can cause life-long deficits as well as a life-threatening condition. This occurs in affected patients within a very short time. The superior sagittal sinus is particularly susceptible to meningiomas. These are tumors whose origin is found in the meninges. This disease is mainly diagnosed in adults. Since cancer cells from other tumor diseases are also transported via the blood vessels in the organism, the formation of further metastases in the brain is also possible.
