Which dural venous sinus is the largest?

• A. Transverse Sinus
• B. Inferior Sagittal Sinus
• C. Superior Sagittal Sinus
• D. Cavernous Sinus

Answer: (C)

Dural venous sinuses are channels between layers of dura that drain venous blood from the brain and surrounding structures. The largest one runs along the top edge of the falx cerebri—the superior sagittal sinus. It collects blood from the superficial veins of the cerebral cortex and also receives CSF via arachnoid granulations. Its long course from the frontal region to the confluence of sinuses near the back of the skull and its wide diameter give it a greater capacity for drainage than the other sinuses.

The inferior sagittal sinus is smaller and runs along the inferior edge of the falx cerebri, draining into the straight sinus. The cavernous sinus sits on either side of the sella turcica and handles venous drainage from the orbit and face, but it is not the largest. The transverse sinuses are sizable and continue from the confluence, but they are downstream of the superior sagittal sinus.