intercavernous sinuses

{{Infobox vein

| Name = Intercavernous sinuses

| Latin = sini intercavernosi

| Image = Gray488.png

| Caption = Dural veins

| Image2 = Gray570.png

| Caption2 = The sinuses at the base of the skull. (Visible as light blue circle at center.)

| DrainsFrom =

| DrainsTo =

| Artery =

}}

The intercavernous sinuses are two in number, an anterior and a posterior, and connect the two cavernous sinuses{{DorlandsDict|nine/000957001|Intercavernous sinuses}} across the middle line.

File:Intercavernous sinus.jpg

The anterior passes in front of the hypophysis cerebri (pituitary gland), the posterior behind it, and they form with the cavernous sinuses a venous circle (circular sinus) around the hypophysis.

The anterior one is usually the larger of the two, and one or other is occasionally absent.