Anatom3DCavernous sinus
Sinus cavernosus · Kavernózní splav
Veins
Looks like
A spongy venous space on each side of the pituitary gland, with the internal carotid artery and the eye-moving nerves passing through it.
What it does
Receives veins from the eye socket and brain and drains them backwards via the petrosal sinuses.
Keeping it well
Infection or a clot here gives a bulging red eye, double vision and fever — an emergency. A leak from the carotid into it causes a pulsing red eye.