Quick Facts
Origin: Cavernous sinus.
Course: Extends along the superior border of the petrous part of the temporal bone, in the groove for the superior petrosal sinus, to drain into the sigmoid sinus.
Tributaries: Vein of vestibular aqueduct, petrosal vein, and superior veins of cerebellum.
Drainage: Superior cerebellum, internal ear.
Origin
The superior petrosal sinuses are small sinuses which originate from the posterosuperior aspects of the cavernous sinuses, on each side of the sella turcica.
Course
Each superior petrosal sinus passes backwards from the cavernous sinus along the attached margin for the tentorium cerebelli. It crosses superior to the trigeminal nerve, then follows a shallow groove on the superior border of the petrous part of the temporal bone. It drains into the sigmoid sinus near its origin.
Tributaries
The superior petrosal sinus receives several tributaries prior to merging with the sigmoid sinus. For instance, it receives the vein of the vestibular aqueduct, a petrosal vein, and tributaries from the medulla oblongata, pons, and superior cerebellar surfaces.
Structures Drained
The superior petrosal sinus drains venous blood from the medulla oblongata, pons, and superior cerebellum, and internal ear.
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Superior Petrosal Sinus
The superior petrosal sinus extends from the posterior aspect of the cavernous sinus to the transverse sinus, running along the attachment of the tentorium cerebelli to the petrous part of the temporal bone.
