Venous channels within the intracranial dural partitions.

Abstract

Complete dura maters exclusive of their midline basilar attachments were obtained by autopsy from persons of all age groups. Vinylite casts of the venous channels in the diaphragma sellae, falx cerebelli, falx cerebri, and tentorium cerebelli were made by injecting a mixture of Vinylite and acetone, after which the specimens were fixed in formalin and subsequently corroded with concentrated hydrochloric acid. Studies showed that the size and position of the channels within the diaphragma sellae were quite constant. Large venous lakes were present in the falx cerebelli and contiguous suboccipital dura mater, and venous pools were also seen connecting the caudal end of the inferior sagittal sinus and the superior sagittal sinus. A great variety of channels were observed in the tentorium cerebelli.