Question
Identify the vessel marked by an arrow in this image of head.
A. Maxillary Artery
B. External Carotid Artery
C. Internal Carotid Artery
D. Common Carotid Artery
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Correct Answer » C Explanation |
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Ans:C. Internal Carotid Artery.
In the image, internal carotid artery is seen within the Cavernous Sinus.
Cavernous Sinus
- The cavernous sinus within the human head, is a true dural venous sinus creating a cavity called the lateral sellar compartment bordered by the temporal bone of the skull and the sphenoid bone, lateral to the sella turcica.
- It is the only anatomic location in the body in which an artery travels completely through a venous structure.
Relations:
- Superiorly: optic tract, optic chiasma, internal carotid artery.
- Inferiorly: greater wing of sphenoid bone.
- Medially: sella turcica and sphenoidal air sinus.
- Laterally: temporal lobe with uncus.
- Anteriorly: superior orbital fissure.
- Posteriorly: apex of petrous temporal bone.
- The pituitary gland lies between the two paired cavernous sinuses
Structures within the lateral wall of the lateral sellar compartment:
- Oculomotor nerve
- Ophthalmic nerve
- Trochlear nerve
- Maxillary nerve
- Trigeminal ganglion
Structures passing through the medial portion of the lateral sellar compartment:
- Abducent nerve
- Internal carotid artery accompanied by the Internal carotid plexus
Tributaries:
- Superior ophthalmic vein
- Inferior ophthalmic vein
- Superficial middle cerebral vein
- Inferior cerebral vein
- Sphenoparietal sinus
