What is the primary function of the transverse sinuses?

• A. Drain Blood From the Neck
• B. Drain Into the Cavernous Sinus
• C. Allow Blood to Drain From the Back of the Head Forward Into the Internal Jugular Veins
• D. Drain Into the Superior Sagittal Sinus

Answer: (C)

The main concept here is how dural venous sinuses channel blood from the brain toward the heart. The transverse sinuses collect venous blood from the confluence of sinuses and from veins draining the posterior portion of the brain. Their job is to route that blood horizontally toward the sigmoid sinuses, which then drain into the internal jugular veins. In other words, this pathway carries blood from the back of the head forward and downward toward the internal jugular veins to exit the skull.

They don’t drain neck structures themselves, so the blood isn’t being sent to the cavernous sinus from this route. The cavernous sinus lies more anteriorly and receives different venous inputs. The flow isn’t from the transverse sinuses into the superior sagittal sinus; rather, the superior sagittal sinus feeds into the transverse sinuses.