[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) › Transverse sinus [Cardiovascular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/cardiovascular-system/) · [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) # Transverse sinus The transverse sinus is a vein channel that curves along the inside of the back of the skull, carrying brain blood toward the neck veins. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=head_neck&select=transverse_sinus&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is A sinus along the back edge of the tentorium on each side. ## What it does Carries blood from the confluence toward the sigmoid sinus. ## Key points - Runs in the attached outer margin of the tentorium cerebelli, in a groove on the [occipital bone](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/occipital-bone/), from the internal occipital protuberance to the petrous temporal bone - A frequent site of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, often together with the [superior sagittal sinus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-sagittal-sinus/) - Receives the inferior anastomotic vein (of Labbé), so its thrombosis can cause a [temporal lobe](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/middle-temporal-gyrus/) venous infarct - Narrowing of both transverse sinuses is a common finding in idiopathic intracranial hypertension ## Key facts **Drains** Confluence of sinuses **Into** Sigmoid sinus ## Relations **Course** From the [confluence of sinuses](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/confluence-of-sinuses/) it curves laterally and forward in the attached edge of the [tentorium](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tentorium-cerebelli/), then leaves it at the petrous [temporal bone](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/temporal-bone/), receives the [superior petrosal sinus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-petrosal-sinus/) and becomes the [sigmoid sinus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sigmoid-sinus/) **Above** [Occipital lobe](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-occipital-gyri/), above the tentorium **Below** Cerebellar hemisphere, below the tentorium ## How to find it Surface marking: a line from the external occipital protuberance curving laterally, slightly convex upward, to the back of the mastoid process; the asterion roughly marks where it turns into the sigmoid sinus, a landmark for posterior fossa approaches. ## On imaging On MR or CT venography a filling defect or absent flow suggests thrombosis; a thin but smooth sinus is more often hypoplasia, and arachnoid granulations can make small rounded filling defects that are normal. ## Clinical notes - Dural arteriovenous fistulas often involve the junction of the transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus and may cause pulsatile tinnitus - Thrombosis here can cause only headache and raised pressure, much like idiopathic intracranial hypertension, so venography is part of the work-up of that condition - In selected people with idiopathic intracranial hypertension and a narrowed transverse sinus, a stent placed in the sinus can lower the pressure ## Anatomical variants - Usually asymmetric: the right is most often dominant, and the left may be small or hypoplastic, which can mimic thrombosis ## Development It arises as a new channel over the developing inner ear capsule, because ear growth closes part of the primary head vein; blood from the front of the head is rerouted into it, which helps explain how often the two sides differ. ## Related conditions - [Idiopathic intracranial hypertension](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/idiopathic-intracranial-hypertension/) - [Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/cerebral-venous-sinus-thrombosis/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Where does the transverse sinus run? In the attached outer margin of the tentorium cerebelli, in a groove on the occipital bone, from the confluence of sinuses to the petrous temporal bone, where it becomes the sigmoid sinus. ## Which vein makes a temporal lobe venous infarct possible when the transverse sinus thromboses? The inferior anastomotic vein (of Labbé), which drains the temporal lobe into the transverse sinus. ## Why can a small left transverse sinus be mistaken for thrombosis on venography? The transverse sinuses are usually asymmetric: the right is most often dominant and the left may be hypoplastic; a thin but smooth sinus is more often hypoplasia. ## Which venous sinus finding is common in idiopathic intracranial hypertension? Narrowing of both transverse sinuses. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/transverse-sinus/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** sinus transversus TA2 4849 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Senos Transversos DeCS D054064 **English (TA2)** Transverse sinus **Also called** lateral sinus ## Related - [Tentorium](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tentorium-cerebelli/) - [Sigmoid sinus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sigmoid-sinus/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=52514&filter=ths_termall&q=Transverse%20Sinuses); [Neuroanatomy, Dural Venous Sinuses](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482257/); Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): Development of the Vascular System (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain. ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/transverse-sinus/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/transverse-sinus/