Corpus: Great cerebral vein

The great cerebral vein, also known as the vein of Galen, is a significant vessel within the deep cerebral venous system.

2.1. Course

The great cerebral vein is a short, unpaired, and valveless blood vessel that forms from the union of the two internal cerebral veins and the basal cerebral veins at the midline. This union occurs at the posterior pole of the thalamus, just behind the pineal gland. The vein then runs posteriorly and slightly upward, along the posterior edge of the splenium of the corpus callosum, through the quadrigeminal cistern. It ultimately drains into the confluence of the inferior sagittal sinus and the straight sinus.

2.2. Inflow areas

The inflow area of the great cerebral vein is variable and collects blood from deep regions of the brain, including the basal ganglia, diencephalon, and parts of the brainstem. Notable tributaries include:

• Internal parieto-occipital vein (directly or via the internal cerebral vein)
• Superior thalamostriate vein (via the internal cerebral vein)
• Choroid vein (via the internal cerebral vein)
• Posterior callosal vein

Tumors of the pineal gland can lead to compression of the great cerebral vein, potentially causing neurological symptoms. Additionally, arteriovenous fistula connections between deep choroidal arteries and an embryonic precursor of the great cerebral vein, known as the median prosencephalic vein, can result in vein of Galen malformations, which are serious vascular anomalies.