The transverse sinus provides blood supply to the brain. It is located in the lower part of the skull. Venous blood flows in it.
What is the transverse sinus?
The blood supply in the human brain is regulated by various blood conduits. They are divided into cerebral arteries, superficial and deep cerebral veins, and the sinus durae matris. Venous blood flows in the veins and the sinus durae matris. They all belong to the central nervous system of the human organism. The most important sinus durae matris include the sagittal sinus superior and inferior, the sinus rectus, sinus transversus as well as sinus sogmoideus and the sinus cavernosus. The transverse sinus lies under the skullcap of the back of the head. From it, other veins run to the deeper layers of the brain. It ensures blood circulation in the brain. It thus supplies the brain tissue, helps remove cerebrospinal fluid and regulates the temperature within the brain. The transverse sinus has the special characteristic that it can be asymmetrical. In addition, it may be present on only one side in some people. Sinus transversus thrombosis is a condition that can develop specifically in this blood vessel. It can lead to strokes.
Anatomy and structure
The dura mater forms duplications. This process creates cavities within the brain tissue that are used as venous blood conduits. Physicians name it the sinus durae matris or dural sinus. Blood from the brain, meninges and orbits collects in the blood conduits. It flows on to the internal jugular vein, which is located behind the cranial fossa. The largest of these blood conduits is the superior sagittal sinus. It runs along the upper edge of the falx cerebri. This is the crescent of the brain. At the lower edge is the inferior sagittal sinus. This ends in the sinus rectus. The sinus rectus flows in the confluens sinuum together with the sinus sagittalis superior. To the right and left of the confluens sinuum runs the transverse sinus. It frames the posterior skull and is s-shaped. Its course is along the occipital base of the skull. The sinus durae matris begins as the superior sagittal sinus, becomes the transverse sinus, and merges with the sigmoid sinus. This ends in the foramen jugulare. Various superficial veins branch off along the entire sinus durae matris. They include the inferior cerebral veins, inferior occipital veins, and temporal veins.
Function and Tasks
Within the human organism, important messenger substances are transported in a short time via the blood circulation and its corresponding blood conduits. With the blood, organs, vessels and tissues are supplied with vital nutrients. In addition, produced substances such as hormones are transported in a few seconds or minutes to the corresponding organs as well as receptors so that they can develop their effect there. At the same time, cerebrospinal fluid, for example, must be transported away. This also occurs via the blood vessels. In addition, they have an important function in regulating the temperature within the human body. The transverse sinus fulfills the above-mentioned tasks in the occipital region of the skull. It is responsible for a large portion of the blood supply in the posterior inferior region of the skull. The transverse sinus is an important blood conductor in which cells, blood plasma or oxygen are transported. Several superficial veins branch off from it. They transport the blood to the deeper regions and supply them accordingly. Venous blood is particularly well suited for the supply of vital substances. During surgical procedures, it is used to draw blood for control purposes or to supply necessary drugs, messenger substances or nutrients to the circulation. The transverse sinus has a dural sheath. This widens the area of the blood vessel. This allows separation of the middle from the posterior fossa. Physicians refer to this attachment as the tentorium cerebelli.
Diseases
Because the transverse sinus is a major blood conductor, it plays an important role in blood supply. If failure occurs, it has far-reaching consequences. There is an undersupply of all regions affected by it and its ramifications. As a result, symptoms of failure or limited activity are to be expected. A complicating disease of the transverse sinus is transverse sinus thrombosis.It is characterized by the formation of a blood clot in the blood vessel. A blood clot is a thrombotic occlusion that results in congestion of the blood. Congestion of the blood in the transverse sinus can lead to a stroke. This leads to paralysis or total loss of some brain areas located in the posterior region. Various somatosensory concomitants are to be expected. Recovery is long term and often some brain areas can no longer perform at their full capacity as usual. In particularly severe cases, a stroke can be fatal within a very short time. Other conditions include inflammation or suppuration. Since cells and messenger substances can be transported to different parts of the organism via the blood, inflammatory symptoms or tumor diseases often spread. This results in pain, feelings of tension in the head or new metastases. Damage to the skull due to accidents or falls can result in damage to the blood conduit. The blood leaks out. This also prevents an adequate supply. Impaired consciousness or loss of consciousness is to be expected.
