CRANIOTOPOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF THE TRANSVERSE SINUSES OF THE DURA MATER OF THE BRAIN OF THE CRANIAL VAULT OF MATURE PEOPLE
Authors: Bondarenko S.V. , Serbin S.I. , Dubyna S.O. , Kalyuzhna V.V. , Bilash V.P. , Svintsytsʹka N.L. , Danylchenko S.I. 
Published: March 2024

The goal of our research is the description of craniotopographic features of the transverse sinuses of the dura mater.

The aim and the methods of research. In order to achieve the goal, a set of methods for morphological studies was developed: macro- and micropreparation of anatomical objects of the brain; cranio– the morphometry of veins, sinuses, and the cervian structures of the cephalic brain; preparation of corrosive (acrylic) ulcerative preparations of veins, sinuses of the dura mater and pervoric lesions of the head; injection technique; variational and statistical analysis of morphometric data; computer-graphic analysis. This study was conducted on 70 preparations of veins and sinuses of the dura mater of the brain.

Results of the study and their discussion. Considering the above-mentioned facts, we established a craniotopographical projection of the transverse sinuses in relation to generally accepted craniotopographical planes and points. According to the data we have obtained, the venous collectors (transverse sinuses) studied by us have a certain projection analogy on the bones of the cranial vault and the corresponding correlations to the craniometric points, which can be used in medical craniology. In this regard, there is a natural range of individual anatomical variability in the parameters of the dura mater, which are described in people of mature age. The obtained data on the structure, shape, size and position of the venous collectors of the cranial vault (transverse sinuses) can be used in surgical interventions on the cerebrospinal fluid system, including the ventricles and cerebrospinal fluid pathways.

Transverse sinuses, located on both sides of the skull in the horizontal plane, are of important practical importance from a neurosurgical point of view. In adults, fully formed right and left transverse sinuses are always noted, which perform an important transport function of carrying venous blood from the drain of the sinuses into the sigmoid sinus and internal jugular veins.

The transverse sinuses of the posterolateral surface are adjacent to the inner surface of the parietal and occipital bones, which explains the frequent damage and injury to the collector in various skull injuries. In addition, these collectors must be taken into account during surgical access to various parts of the brain, including the lateral ventricles.

Taking into account the above, it is possible to distinguish different areas of the accumulation of veins that flow into the transverse sinuses. The densest location of tributaries, branches and anastomoses is observed in the initial part of the collectors, near the drainage of the sinuses, due to the surface veins of the occipital lobe and the veins of the cerebellar tent. The second place of accumulation of venous vessels is noted in the area of the transition of the transverse sinuses into the sigmoid sinuses, where the superficial temporal and parietal veins are concentrated.

Conclusions. The obtained results not only complement the known facts, but also more deeply reveal the principles of the craniotopographic structure of the transverse sinuses of the dura mater of the cranial vault of people of mature age.

 On the basis of the actual data obtained, the position is substantiated, according to which a kind of “vascular zone” in the middle part of the transverse sinuses is topographically distinguished, where, in our opinion, it is better to perform surgical interventions in neurosurgical practice.