Connection lost. Please refresh the page.
Online
Get help How to study
English
Login Register
Anatomy
Basics
Terminology Introduction to the musculoskeletal system Introduction to the other systems
Upper limb
Overview Shoulder and arm Elbow and forearm Wrist and hand Nerves and vessels
Lower limb
Overview Hip and thigh Knee and leg Ankle and foot Nerves and vessels
Spine and back
Overview Spine Back
Thorax
Thoracic wall Female breast Mediastinum Lungs Heart
Abdomen
Abdominal wall Peritoneum Stomach Spleen Liver Pancreas Small intestine Large intestine Kidneys and ureters Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the abdomen
Pelvis and perineum
Pelvic girdle and floor Female pelvis and reproductive organs Male pelvis and reproductive organs Urinary bladder and urethra Perineum Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the pelvis
Head and neck
Overview Skull Face and scalp Infratemporal region and pterygopalatine fossa Orbit and contents Nasal region Ear Oral cavity Teeth Pharynx Neck
Neuroanatomy
Overview Cerebrum Diencephalon Cerebellum Brainstem Meninges, ventricular system and subarachnoid space Blood supply of the brain Spinal cord Pathways of the nervous system Cranial nerves Peripheral nervous system
Cross sections
Head and neck Upper limb Thorax Abdomen Male pelvis Female pelvis Lower limb
Radiological anatomy
Head and neck Thorax Abdomen and pelvis Upper limb Lower limb
Histology
Types of tissues
Introduction to cells and tissues Epithelial tissue Connective tissue Cartilage and bone Muscle tissue Nervous tissue
Body systems
Cardiovascular system Nervous system Integumentary system Respiratory system Urinary system Endocrine system Digestive system Lymphoid system Male reproductive system Female reproductive system Eye and ear
AnatomyNeuroanatomyMeninges, ventricular system and subarachnoid space Occipital sinus
Table of contents
Ready to learn?
Pick your favorite study tool

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!

AnatomyNeuroanatomyMeninges, ventricular system and subarachnoid space Occipital sinus

Occipital sinus

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

Recommended video: Occipital sinus [02:22]
Anatomy and function of the occipital sinus.
Occipital sinus (Sinus occipitalis)

The occipital sinus is the smallest of all dural venous sinuses. It lies in the base of the falx cerebelli on the inner side of the occipital bone.

The occipital sinus drains the blood from the marginal sinus, which is a venous vessel situated along the rim of the foramen magnum. It terminates at the level of the occipital protuberance where it contributes to the formation of the confluence of sinuses, together with the superior sagittal, transverse and straight sinuses.

Key facts about the occipital sinus
Drains from Marginal sinus, posterior internal vertebral venous plexus
Drains to Confluence of sinuses
Drainage area Vertebral column, spinal cord

This article will discuss the anatomy and function of the occipital sinus.

Contents
  1. Anatomy and course
  2. Sources
+ Show all

Anatomy and course

Occipital sinus
Sinus occipitalis
1/3
Synonyms: none

The occipital sinus originates at the level of the foramen magnum via several small veins arising from the marginal sinus and posterior internal vertebral venous plexus. It ascends along the posterior margin of the falx cerebelli, which attaches along the internal occipital crest of the occipital bone. The occipital sinus terminates at the level of the occipital protuberance by emptying into the confluence of sinuses.

Since it communicates with the posterior internal vertebral plexus, the occipital sinus receives a small amount of blood from the spine and the spinal cord. Thereby, the occipital sinus connects the extracranial with the intracranial venous systems and hence can be considered an emissary vein.

The most prominent function of the occipital sinus is to provide an alternative route for the venous drainage of the vertebral column when the venous return through the internal jugular vein is compromised. Also, in case of the absence of the transverse sinus, the occipital sinus becomes the main pathway for venous drainage of the brain.

Explore our videos, articles, quizzes and labeled diagrams to learn everything about the dural venous sinuses.

Dural venous sinuses Explore study unit

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:

  • Blumenfeld, H. (2018) Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases. 2nd ed., Sinauer.
  • Mancall, Elliott L., et al. (2011) Gray's Clinical Neuroanatomy: the Anatomic Basis for Clinical Neuroscience. Elsevier Saunders.
  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). 
  • 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). Bergman’s comprehensive encyclopedia of human anatomic variation. Hoboken: Wiley Blackwell.

Illustrations:

  • Occipital sinus (Sinus occipitalis) - Paul Kim

Occipital sinus: want to learn more about it?

Our engaging videos, interactive quizzes, in-depth articles and HD atlas are here to get you top results faster.

What do you prefer to learn with?

Videos Quizzes Both

“I would honestly say that Kenhub cut my study time in half.” – Read more.

Kim Bengochea Kim Bengochea, Regis University, Denver
© Unless stated otherwise, all content, including illustrations are exclusive property of Kenhub GmbH, and are protected by German and international copyright laws. All rights reserved.

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!