An elderly patient with dilated cerebral veins develops a bilateral chronic subdural haematoma after a trivial head injury. These bridging veins drain into which sinus, making them susceptible to tearing?

• A Straight sinus
• B Transverse sinus
• C Cavernous sinus
• D Superior sagittal sinus ✓

Explanation

Cerebral bridging veins course through the subdural space (between the inner layer of dura and arachnoid) and drain superiorly into the superior sagittal sinus. In elderly patients with cerebral atrophy, the bridging veins are stretched over a longer distance; even minor head movements can tear them, leading to slow bleeding into the subdural space. The straight and transverse sinuses receive cerebellar and deep cerebral veins respectively, and the cavernous sinus receives orbital and middle-fossa drainage.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.