A, Superior view. The dura covering the cerebrum has been removed to expose the cortical veins entering the superior sagittal sinus. The branches of the left anterior and middle cerebral arteries have been preserved. The veins entering the most anterior part of the sagittal sinus are directed slightly posteriorly. Those from the midportion of the frontal lobe enter the sagittal sinus at a right angle and, proceeding posteriorly, the veins entering the sinus are progressively angulated further forward. The central sulcus reaches the superior hemispheric border. B, The arteries on the left side have been removed. The veins entering the posterior part of the sagittal sinus are directed forward. Anterior, middle, and posterior frontal, and central and postcentral veins ascend to the superior sagittal sinus. The posterior frontal vein drains the area normally drained by precentral and posterior frontal veins. C, Right anterolateral view. The right middle and posterior frontal veins join sinuses in the dura that empty medially into the superior sagittal sinus. The right anterior frontal vein empties directly into the superior sagittal sinus. Yellow arrows are on two dural sinuses on the right and three on the left side. D, Left anterolateral view. The left anterior, middle, and posterior frontal and precentral veins do not pass directly to the superior sagittal sinus, but empty into dural sinuses that cross the upper border of the frontal lobe to reach the superior sagittal sinus. Yellow arrows are on four left dural sinuses E, Posterior view. The veins on the occipital lobe are directed forward so that the area below the lambdoid suture is often completely devoid of bridging veins to the superior sagittal sinus. This often allows the occipital lobe to be retracted away from the sagittal sinus without sacrificing any bridging veins. There is an intrasutural bone in each lambdoid suture F, Another specimen. The lambdoid suture has been removed to show the absence of bridging veins entering the posterior part of the superior sagittal sinus. Right postcentral and anterior and posterior parietal veins empty into the superior sagittal sinus. The right occipital lobe has been retracted to expose the tentorium, falx, and straight sinus. There are no bridging veins between the occipital pole and the superior sagittal or straight sinus. (Images courtesy of AL Rhoton, Jr.)