부산대학교 도서관

Cavernous sinus is a complex structure on the lateral sides of the sphenoid body. It consists of a vascular part and a nervous part. The vascular part consists of a venous part and internal carotid artery. The nervous part consists of cranial nerves III (oculomotor), IV (trochlear), VI (abducens) and ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve. The cavernous sinus nerves are part of the neuro-oculomotor system for both somatic and autonomic nerve supply. Moreover the sympathetic nerve supply of the eye originates from the cervical sympathetic plexus and reaches the eyeball along the internal carotid plexus. Inside the sinus, the nervous elements will branch but also will change the arrangement, therefore their position is different in both anterior and posterior ends of the sinus. These relations are very important for radiologists, that need to know and understand them and also for neurosurgeons that need to avoid their damage during surgery. Another important structure at this level is the oculomotor cistern, also with great importance for neurosurgeons. Rare cases of neuro-oculomotor system palsy might be explained by tumors that occur at that level, that invades and alter the normal anatomy of the sinus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]