Vena cerebri is a Latin term that means “vein of the brain”. It refers to any of the blood vessels that drain blood from the cerebrum, the largest and most complex part of the human brain. The cerebrum is responsible for higher cognitive functions such as language, memory, reasoning, and emotion.

The vena cerebri can be divided into two groups: external and internal. The external vena cerebri, also known as the superficial cerebral veins, are located on the outer surface of the cerebral hemispheres. They drain into the large dural venous sinuses, which are spaces between the layers of the dura mater, the tough outer membrane that covers the brain. The most important dural venous sinus is the superior sagittal sinus, which runs along the top of the skull and receives blood from most of the external vena cerebri.

The internal vena cerebri, also known as the deep cerebral veins, are located within the substance of the cerebral hemispheres. They drain blood from the deep structures of the brain, such as the thalamus, basal ganglia, and corpus callosum. The most important internal vena cerebri is the great cerebral vein, also known as the vein of Galen. It is formed by the union of two internal cerebral veins at the back of the brain, and it empties into the straight sinus, another dural venous sinus that connects to the superior sagittal sinus.

The vena cerebri are vital for maintaining the normal function and metabolism of the brain. They carry away waste products and carbon dioxide from the brain cells and deliver them to the lungs and kidneys for elimination. They also help regulate the intracranial pressure and temperature by adjusting their diameter and flow rate according to the needs of the brain.

The vena cerebri can be affected by various diseases and disorders that can impair their function or cause bleeding or obstruction. Some examples are:

• Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation: a rare congenital defect that causes abnormal connections between arteries and veins in the brain, resulting in high blood pressure and heart failure in infants.
• Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: a condition that causes blood clots to form in the dural venous sinuses, leading to increased intracranial pressure, headache, seizures, and stroke.
• Cerebral venous malformations: abnormal clusters of veins in the brain that can rupture and cause bleeding or seizures.

The vena cerebri can be visualized by various imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), or angiography. These methods can help diagnose and treat various conditions affecting the vena cerebri and improve the outcome and quality of life for patients.

The vena cerebri play a crucial role in the function and metabolism of the brain. They carry away waste products and carbon dioxide from the brain cells and deliver them to the lungs and kidneys for elimination. They also help regulate the intracranial pressure and temperature by adjusting their diameter and flow rate according to the needs of the brain.

The vena cerebri are part of the cerebral circulation, which consists of two main systems: the anterior circulation and the posterior circulation. The anterior circulation is supplied by the internal carotid arteries, which branch into the anterior and middle cerebral arteries. The posterior circulation is supplied by the vertebral arteries, which join to form the basilar artery and branch into the posterior cerebral arteries. The two systems are connected by an anastomotic network called the circle of Willis, which provides collateral blood flow in case of occlusion or stenosis of one of the main arteries.

The cerebral arteries deliver oxygenated blood to different regions of the brain, such as the cerebral cortex, the basal ganglia, the thalamus, and the cerebellum. The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of the brain that is responsible for higher cognitive functions such as language, memory, reasoning, and emotion. The basal ganglia are a group of nuclei that are involved in motor control and learning. The thalamus is a relay station that integrates sensory and motor information and sends it to the cerebral cortex. The cerebellum is a structure located at the back of the brain that coordinates voluntary muscle movements and maintains posture, balance, and equilibrium.

The vena cerebri drain deoxygenated blood from these regions and return it to the heart via the dural venous sinuses and the internal jugular veins. The dural venous sinuses are spaces between the layers of the dura mater that collect blood from various sources. The most important dural venous sinuses are:

• The superior sagittal sinus, which runs along the top of the skull and receives blood from most of the external vena cerebri.
• The straight sinus, which connects to the superior sagittal sinus at its posterior end and receives blood from the great cerebral vein.
• The transverse sinuses, which continue from both ends of the straight sinus and run laterally along the tentorium cerebelli.
• The sigmoid sinuses, which continue from both ends of the transverse sinuses and curve downward to exit through the jugular foramina.

The internal jugular veins are large veins that leave the skull through the jugular foramina and travel downward to join with the subclavian veins to form the brachiocephalic veins. The brachiocephalic veins merge to form the superior vena cava, which empties into the right atrium of the heart.