Microanatomical observation of the suboccipital venous plexus
WU Rui
LIU Weiping
ZHANG Zhiyin
MA Dongming
WANG Yafei
Abstract：Objective To clarify the anatomical characteristics of the suboccipital venous plexus,provide a reference for craniotomy,and reduce the risks of intraoperative bleeding and air embolism.Methods Five formalin-fixed head and neck specimens were used.After arteriovenous pressure perfusion and dye injection,the structure of the suboccipital venous plexus was observed by layered dissection under a microscope.Results The suboccipital venous plexus can be divided into three parts:the superficial layer,the muscular layer and the deep layer.It has a close anatomical relationship with the sigmoid sinus,jugular foramen and paravertebral venous plexus.In addition,it has morphological asymmetry.Conclusions Mastering the anatomical characteristics of the suboccipital venous plexus can avoid injury to the suboccipital venous plexus in surgeries via the retrosigmoid approach(cerebellopontine angle area),paramedian approach(ventral side of the brainstem)and far-lateral approach(posterior cranial fossa),reduce complications,and improve surgical safety.
Keywords：suboccipital venous plexussurgical approachmicroanatomy
Publication Date：2026-01-28
Online Publishing Date：2026-01-17(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：4( 101-104 )