Corpus: Superior petrosal sinus

The superior petrosal sinus is a paired intradural venous blood vessel located within the brain's dura mater.

The superior petrosal sinus runs along the upper edge of the petrous part of the temporal bone, parallel to the inferior petrosal sinus. It connects the cavernous sinus with the sigmoid sinus, facilitating the drainage of venous blood from the middle cranial fossa (fossa cranii media) into the sigmoid sinus. This sinus is situated within the bony base of the skull.

2.1. Inflows

The superior petrosal sinus receives venous blood from the petrosal vein and the lateral portions of the superior and inferior cerebellar veins. This drainage system collects blood primarily from the two cerebellar hemispheres.

The cerebellar veins are interconnected by anastomoses, allowing for variable flow directions, especially in cases of venous stenosis. Notably, all venous outflow from these veins is directed infratentorially, meaning it occurs below the tentorium cerebelli.