Selected problems from the descriptive and surgical anatomy of the cavernous sinus

The paper contains anatomical information concerning the cavernous sinus (CS) and the structures related to it topographically and constituting its direct surroundings. This information is a starting point for surgical interference in the CS, as well as a background for analyzing the clinical problems of CS disorders and the results of their Surgical treatment. After considering developmental conditioning, the structure of three walls of the cavernous sinus was discussed: the medial, superior and lateral one. This enabled a precise topography of the cranial nerves connected with the CS to be created. The author sets forth information on the role of the CS as one of the main venous passages within the cranial cavity. The article describes the segments of the internal carotid artery which are connected with the CS. Moreover, it discusses the intracavernous branches of the artery and the range of their vascularisation. The paper ends with an analysis of the possible ways of surgical interference in CS, known as 'CS triangles'.