Internal cerebral vein

Last edited and medically reviewed by Alaric Steinmetz on 19.02.2025

Synonyms

Internal cerebral vein

ICD-11

XA6DC3

The internal cerebral vein is a paired deep cerebral vein that drains into the Great cerebral vein.

Anatomy

The internal cerebral vein arises from multiple venous tributaries in the region of the Foramen of Monro and courses posteriorly in the roof of the third ventricle above the striae medullares thalami between the two layers of the tela choroidea. The anterior portions of the internal cerebral veins run parallel to each other adjacent to the midline. Posteriorly, they diverge to course along the superolateral surface of the Pineal gland. Further posteriorly, below the splenium of the corpus callosum, the two internal cerebral veins converge and, after leaving the velum interpositum in the Quadrigeminal cistern, drain into the great cerebral vein[^1].

Clinical relevance

Occlusion of the internal cerebral vein (e.g., due to thrombosis or surgical intervention) can have serious clinical consequences and lead to venous infarction[^2].

Figure

Schematic illustration of the internal cerebral vein (labeled as the velar veins in this figure). Figure adapted from Gray’s Anatomy, Figure 565.

Posterior view of the tectum, Rhoton — Anatomical illustration of the quadrigeminal plate with and without the corresponding vascular structures. Illustration adapted from Albert Rhoton 2002 Neurosurgery.

Internal cerebral vein — Endoscopic visualization of both internal cerebral veins (green arrow) during a paramedian infratentorial supracerebellar approach.

Third ventricle, sagittal view — Sagittal section through the third ventricle. Figure adapted from Albert Rhoton 2002 in Neurosurgery.

Sagittal section through the pineal gland — Sagittal anatomical section at the level of the pineal gland. Figure adapted from Rhoton’s Cranial Anatomy and Surgical Approaches.

Imaging

Internal cerebral vein on MRI — Image of the internal cerebral vein on MRI (red arrow).