Morphometric Anatomy of Superficial Cerebral Veins and Cerebral Sulci

Abstract

The morphometric anatomy of the superficial cerebral veins in relation to cerebral gyri was studied in 244 cadaveric cerebral hemispheres. Our morphometry revealed that the position of the central sulcus and that of the parieto-occipital sulcus near the superior sagittal sinus were at 55% and 83.6% respectively of the half-perimeter running from the frontal pole to the occipital pole (FO). The drainage position of the central sulcal vein (of Rolando) into the superior sagittal sinus was about 65% of the FO half-perimeter on each side. The three main drainage veins among the superficial cerebral veins are classified into four types: (1) left predominant, (2) right predominant, (3) no laterality, and (4) absent. No laterality predominance was observed regarding the superficial middle cerebral vein (of Sylvius). The inferior anastomotic vein (of Labbe), however, was predominant on the left hemisphere. The superior anastomotic vein (of Trolard) was observed with similar frequency in each type. In conclusion, the superficial cerebral veins can be classified into eight different types according to venous drainages.