Diploic veins

Diploic veins are a set of veins located within the human skull. They are responsible for draining the bone marrow and inner table of the skull. The term "diploic" is derived from the Greek word "diploe," which means "double." This refers to the double layer of compact bone that surrounds the spongy bone in the skull.

Anatomy

The diploic veins are found between the inner and outer tables of the flat bones of the skull, in an area known as the diploe. They are largest in the frontal bone, parietal bone, and occipital bone. These veins are valveless and communicate with the dural venous sinuses, emissary veins, and meningeal veins.

Function

The primary function of the diploic veins is to drain blood from the bone marrow and inner table of the skull. They also serve as a cooling system for the brain, as the blood they drain is cooler than the brain tissue.

Clinical significance

Diploic veins can be involved in several medical conditions. For example, they can serve as a pathway for the spread of infection or metastasis of cancer from the skull to the brain. They can also become enlarged in conditions such as Paget's disease of bone or hyperparathyroidism.

See also

• Vein
• Human skull
• Bone marrow
• Dural venous sinuses
• Emissary veins
• Meningeal veins
• Paget's disease of bone
• Hyperparathyroidism

References

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