J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 2016; 77 - LFP-11-06
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1592614

Walls of the Cavernous Sinus: With Special Reference to the Dural Layers

Alberto Valarezo 1, Félix Umansky 2
  • 1Departamento de Neurocirugía, Instituto Oncológico Nacional ¨Dr. Juan Tanca Marengo¨, Guayaquil, Ecuador
  • 2Department of Neurosurgery, Hadassah University Hospital and the Hebrew University Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel

The walls of the cavernous sinus were studied in 15 cadaver heads (20 specimens) fixed in formalin. The heads were placed in a Sugita head holder and turned 45* from the side of dissection. The dural of the lateral, superior and posterior wall of the cavernous sinus is formed of two layers: a smooth superficial layer and a thin less defined deep layer. The superficial layer of the superior wall is continuous medially with the diaphragm sella and the deep layer with the upper part of the medial wall of the cavernous sinus which coincides with the pituitary capsule. The bottom part of the medial wall corresponds to the endosteal dura of the carotid canal. The anterior wall of the cavernous sinus is in contact with the superior orbital fissure and clinoid space at the top. The purpose of this studio is to consider the surgical strategies noticing surgical corridors through membranes respecting these important anatomical structures.