Surgical anatomy and clinical significance of the internal carotid artery of cavernous sinus in cavernous sinus surgery

Objective:To study the characteristics of the surgical anatomy of the internal carotid artery of cavernous sinus,in order to provide anatomical basis for cavernous-related surgery in clinical.Methods:The course,branches of the internal carotid artery of cavernous sinus of 16 cadaveric head were observed under the microscope,and to observe the relationship of the cavernous sinus and cranial nerves,the surrounding structure.Results:There are 5 part in the internal carotid artery of cavernous sinus,and there are 3 main branches.The average distance between the inside edge of the anterior bend of internal carotid artery and the pituitary midline was(10.86±2.56) mm(10.13~15.02 mm).The average distance between the inside edge of the posterior bend of internal carotid artery and the pituitary midline was(8.04±1.89) mm(6.13~10.87 mm).The internal carotid artery of cavernous sinus formed bulge uplift in the outer wall of the sphenoid sinus,uplift can be divided into 3 part.There were down from the oculomotor nerve、trochlear nerve、eye by and the abducens nerve were inside on the outer wall of the cavernous sinus.Conclusion:To master the characteristics of the surgical anatomy of the internal carotid artery of cavernous sinus can avoid to damage important structures such as nerves and blood vessels in cavernous-related surgery in clinical,There were important clinical significance.