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AnatomyNeuroanatomyMeninges, ventricular system and subarachnoid space Great cerebral vein of Galen
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AnatomyNeuroanatomyMeninges, ventricular system and subarachnoid space Great cerebral vein of Galen

Great cerebral vein of Galen

Author: Roberto Grujičić, MD • Reviewer: Jana Vasković, MD
Last reviewed: November 03, 2023
Reading time: 3 minutes

Recommended video: Superficial veins of the brain [10:26]
Superficial veins of the brain seen from lateral and medial views of the brain.
Great cerebral vein (Vena magna cerebri)

The great cerebral vein (vein of Galen) is a deep cerebral vein formed by the basal veins of Rosenthal, the internal cerebral and some superior cerebellar veins. It is situated in the quadrigeminal cistern, posterior to the brainstem and third ventricle.

The main function of the vein of Galen is to drain blood from the superior cerebellum, interpeduncular fossa, inferior horn of the lateral ventricle, parahippocampal gyrus, corpus callosum, midbrain, and choroid plexuses of the third and lateral ventricles.

Key facts about the great cerebral vein
Drains from Internal cerebral veins, basal veins
Tributaries Superior cerebellar veins, callosal veins, inferior cerebral veins
Drains to Straight sinus
Drainage area Cerebellum, interpeduncular fossa, inferior horn of the lateral ventricle, medial parietal-occipital region, parahippocampal gyrus, midbrain, choroid plexuses of the third and lateral ventricles

This article will discuss the anatomy and function of the great cerebral vein.

Contents
  1. Anatomy and function
  2. Clinical relations
    1. Vein of Galen malformation
  3. Sources
+ Show all

Anatomy and function

Great cerebral vein
Vena magna cerebri
1/3
Synonyms: Vein of Galen, Vena cerebri magna , show more...

The great vein of Galen is a short and thick vein formed anteroinferiorly to the splenium of corpus callosum by the three major veins of the basal aspect of the brain: the basal vein of Rosenthal, internal cerebral vein and some superior cerebellar veins.

The great cerebral vein traverses the quadrigeminal cistern of the brain, which is why this area is sometimes referred to as Galen's cistern. Within the cistern, the vein takes a posterior course, curving around the inferior aspect of the splenium of corpus callosum and reaching its posterior side. Posterior to the splenium of the corpus callosum, the great cerebral vein joins the inferior sagittal sinus to form the straight sinus, which is located within the junction between the falx and the tentorium cerebelli.

During its relatively short course, the vein of Galen has several tributaries:

  • The inferior cerebral veins that drain the medial parietal-occipital region of the brain.
  • The superior cerebellar vein that drains the superior portion of the cerebellum.
  • The callosal veins that drain the corpus callosum.

Explore our articles, quizzes, video tutorials and labeled diagrams to learn everything about the venous sinuses of the brain.

Dural venous sinuses Explore study unit

Clinical relations

Vein of Galen malformation

The great cerebral vein of Galen can be a site of arteriovenous malformation (AVM) that develops in the fetal period. This condition is sometimes referred to as a vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation. AVM is a rare but serious malformation in which the abnormal tangle of blood vessels that disrupts the blood flow in the brain. This condition can lead to hydrocephalus, bleeding, or seizures which is why it is potentially fatal.

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References

  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Grand, W., Hopkins, L.N. (1999). Vasculature of the brain and cranial base, variations in clinical anatomy. George Thieme Verlag. ISBN:0865777845
  • Netter, F. (2019). Atlas of Human Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
  • Tubbs, R. S., Shoja, M. M., Loukas, M., & Bergman, R. A. (2016). Bergmans comprehensive encyclopedia of human anatomic variation. Hoboken: Wiley Blackwell.

Illustrators

  • Great cerebral vein (Vena magna cerebri) - Paul Kim

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