The spelling of the word "sinus durae matris" may seem daunting to the unfamiliar eye, but its pronunciation can be easily deciphered through its phonetic transcription of /ˈsaɪnəs ˈdʊəri maˈtrɪs/. The "s" and "n" sounds are followed by a short "i" sound, creating "si". "Nu" and "us" sounds form "nus", while the "d" and "r" sounds create "dur". "Ae" is pronounced as "eye", "ma" as "ma", and "tris" as "tris". Altogether, the word refers to a chamber within the brain's protective membranes.
Sinus Durae Matris is a Latin term that refers to the dural venous sinuses, which are a group of large, thin-walled blood vessels located within the meninges of the brain. The meninges are the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The sinus durae matris function as specific channels for venous blood drainage from the brain and play a crucial role in maintaining the cerebral blood flow.
These sinuses are formed by the dura mater, which is the tough outermost layer of the meninges. They are named based on their anatomical location in the brain, including the superior sagittal sinus, inferior sagittal sinus, transverse sinuses, sigmoid sinuses, and cavernous sinuses. The sinus durae matris receive deoxygenated blood from veins that drain the brain tissue, and they eventually drain into the internal jugular veins, returning blood back to the heart.
The sinus durae matris also provide important pathways for the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to flow and be absorbed. Additionally, these sinuses contain specialized endothelial cells that regulate the exchange of molecules between the blood and cerebrospinal fluid, contributing to the brain's homeostasis.
Pathological conditions affecting the sinus durae matris can lead to serious complications, such as thrombosis (abnormal blood clot formation) or infection. Understanding the anatomy and function of the sinus durae matris is crucial for medical professionals when evaluating and managing various neurological disorders.
Sinuses of the dura mater, cerebral sinuses; see the following: s. cavernosus, s. circularis, s. intercavernosus anterior, s. intercavernosus posterior, s. occipitalis, s. parasinoideus, s. petrosus inferior, s. petrosus superior, s. rectus, s. sagittalis inferior, s. sagittalis superior, s. sphenoparietalis, s. transversus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.