Cavernous sinus



The sinus cavernosus is a venous sinus in the dura mater at the base of the skull on either side of the sella turcica.

It has a spongy structure, due to the numerous trabeculae that penetrate it. Through v. opthalmica it is connected to blood draining from the facial area. Some purulent infections in the face (e.g. furuncle, cheilitis) can thus spread to this area and cause severe intracranial infections and thrombosis of the sinus.

Related anatomical structures:
 * a. carotis interna,
 * n. abducens,
 * in its side wall: n. III., n. IV., n. opthalmicus.

Receives blood from:
 * v. opthalmica superior.

Cavernous sinus thrombosis

 * Severe pain behind the eye and in the eye, sometimes near the eye;
 * conjunctival injection, which may prolapse in front of the bulbus;
 * papilledema, hemorrhage on the eye fundus;
 * vision impairment up to blindness.

Related articles

 * Internal carotid artery
 * Abducent nerve
 * Ophtalmic nerve