Basilar venous plexus

Looks like

A web of veins on the back slope of the skull base (the clivus), behind the pituitary and in front of the brainstem.

What it does

Links the petrosal and cavernous sinuses of both sides with the veins around the spinal cord.

Keeping it well

Can bleed heavily during skull-base surgery; otherwise it rarely causes trouble.

Its parts

• Anterior intercavernous sinus
• Posterior intercavernous sinus

Related conditions

• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Clotting disorders (thrombophilia & APS)
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Varicose veins