Dural venous sinuses

Looks like

Channels between the layers of the tough brain covering (dura), lined like veins and running along the inside of the skull.

What it does

Collect all blood from the brain and reabsorb brain fluid, sending both to the internal jugular veins.

Keeping it well

A clot here (venous sinus thrombosis) is rare but serious: a new severe headache that keeps worsening, with fits or weakness, needs emergency care.

Its parts

• Inferior petrosal sinus
• Sigmoid sinus

Related conditions

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