Superior petrosal sinus

Looks like

A thin channel along the upper ridge of the petrous temporal bone, from the cavernous sinus to where the transverse becomes the sigmoid sinus.

What it does

Drains the cavernous sinus and nearby brain veins backwards.

Keeping it well

Relevant mainly in skull-base and ear surgery, where it may need to be controlled.

Related conditions

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