Quick Facts
Origin: Formed by union of tiny meningeal veins at the crista galli.
Course: Runs backwards within the attached upper margin of the falx cerebrum, from crista galli (anteriorly) to the confluence of sinuses (posteriorly).
Tributaries: Communications with the veins of the frontal sinus, veins of the nose (via foramen cecum), the superior cerebral veins, parietal emissary veins, and venous lacunae.
Drainage: Anterior cerebral hemispheres.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The superior sagittal sinus begins at the crista galli, formed by the union of small meningeal veins.
Course
The superior sagittal sinus lies within the upper fixed convex margin of the falx cerebrum. It courses in the midline in a shallow groove on the inner aspect of the cranium and grows in caliber as it continues posteriorly. The sinus extends backwards from the crista galli to the confluence of sinuses where it usually turns to the right side to become continuous with the right transverse sinus (Pamir, Black and Fahlbusch, 2010).
Tributaries
The superior sagittal sinus communicates anteriorly at the crista galli with the veins of the frontal sinus and nose (via foramen cecum). The sinus has additional connections with the superior cerebral veins, parietal emissary veins, and venous lacunae.
Structures Drained
Lying along the sagittal groove, the superior sagittal sinus drains lateral aspects of the anterior cerebrum into the confluence of the sinuses.
List of Clinical Correlates
—Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis
References
Pamir, M. N., Black, P. M. and Fahlbusch, R. (2010) Meningiomas E-Book: Expert Consult - Online and Print. Elsevier Health Sciences.
