Blood Vessels and Cerebrospinal Fluid

Overview

The brain’s blood supply and cerebrospinal fluid circulation support neural metabolism, protection and waste clearance. This section introduces the major arterial, venous and CSF pathways essential to central nervous system function.

Key Structures

Topics include arterial supply to the brain, venous drainage, dural venous sinuses, the cavernous sinus and the ventricular system.

Clinical Relevance and Learning Focus

Understanding neurovascular and CSF anatomy is essential for recognising stroke patterns, venous thrombosis, raised intracranial pressure and infections. The material supports clinical reasoning in neurology, neurosurgery and emergency care.

+ Read more

The Arterial Supply to the Central Nervous System

Coronal section illustrating the contents of the right cavernous sinus.

The Cavernous Sinus

Sagittal section illustration of the dural venous sinuses and the great cerebral vein.

The Dural Venous Sinuses

An anatomical diagram illustrating the external and internal vertebral plexuses.

The Venous Drainage of the Central Nervous System

Diagram illustrating the anatomical positioning of the brain ventricles.

The Ventricles of the Brain

Popular

Diagram illustrating the circumflex scapular artery passing through the triangular space into the posterior scapular region.
Anatomical Areas

The Triangular Space

by Dr Oliver Jones

Simplified illustration of the mesentery connecting the small and large intestines to the posterior abdominal wall.
The Accessory Organs of the Abdomen

The Mesentery

by Reshma Joseph

An anatomical illustration of the posterior thorax and lower back showing the erector spinae muscles, labeled spinalis, longissimus, and iliocostalis.
Encyclopaedia

Iliocostalis

by Sharanya Bhaskaran