Veins of the brainstem and cerebellum - Basal view (English)

Venous drainage of the cerebellum is achieved through the superior and inferior cerebellar veins, the cerebellar vein (precentral cerebellar vein) and the petrosal vein. The superior cerebellar veins mainly drain the superior region of the cerebellum and empty into the straight sinus, the great cerebral vein (of Galen) (see previous image), the transverse sinus and/or the inferior petrosal sinus. It is formed by the inferior cerebellar veins, also known as the internal cerebellar veins. Their tributaries drain blood from the inferior cerebellum into the right and left sigmoid sinuses, the inferior petrosal sinus, the occipital and straight sinuses (see previous image). The venous drainage of the brainstem involves a superficial plexus of veins which drain blood from the midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata to the vertebral veins, the veins of the spinal cord, and the basilar and inferior petrosal sinuses, as well as into the basal and great cerebral veins (see previous images).