Final answer:
The cavernous sinus drains blood from the ophthalmic veins and other cerebral veins, located on either side of the sphenoid bone. It leads to the petrosal sinus and then to the internal jugular vein, which empties into the brachiocephalic vein.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cavernous sinus is a crucial structure in the venous drainage system of the brain and receives blood from the ophthalmic veins, which are part of the veins from the eye socket. This sinus not only drains the ophthalmic veins but also other cerebral veins. It can be found on either side of the body of the sphenoid bone, and it flows into the petrosal sinus, then draining into the internal jugular vein. The internal jugular vein is a significant vessel that carries blood from the brain, including blood from the cavernous sinus, and empties it into the brachiocephalic vein.
Beyond the cavernous sinus, several other sinuses and veins participate in venous drainage, such as the occipital sinus, which also drains the occipital region near the falx cerebelli and leads to the transverse sinuses. These transverse sinuses connect to the sigmoid sinuses and ultimately to the internal jugular vein. Moreover, the vertebral veins, which also receive some blood from the occipital sinus, drain the cervical vertebrae and posterior surface of the skull, flowing into the brachiocephalic veins.
In summary, the dural sinuses and interconnected veins play essential roles in collecting and redistributing blood from the brain and surrounding structures, ultimately leading to systemic circulation.