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Related Concept Videos

Veins01:17

Veins

Veins are an integral part of our circulatory system, serving as the blood vessels that transport blood from all body regions to the heart. They are a network of hollow tubes that carry blood low in oxygen from the body's cells back to the heart for reoxygenation. Veins are crucial for maintaining the body's overall fluid balance and the continuous circulation of blood.
Structure of Veins:
The structure of veins is specifically designed to assist in the low-pressure transportation of blood...
Veins of Head and Neck01:19

Veins of Head and Neck

The blood drainage from the head and neck is primarily managed by three pairs of veins: the external jugular, internal jugular, and vertebral veins. The external jugular veins drain superficial scalp and face structures, passing over the sternocleidomastoid muscles to empty into the subclavian veins.
On the other hand, the vertebral veins, unlike their arterial counterparts, are not primarily responsible for brain drainage. Instead, they drain the cervical vertebrae, spinal cord, and some small...
Structure of Blood Vessels01:15

Structure of Blood Vessels

Blood is circulated throughout the human body through a network of blood vessels called the circulatory system. This system includes arteries that transport blood from the heart to various body parts. These arterial pathways divide into smaller vessels until they reach the arterioles, which further split into capillaries. It is within these minuscule capillaries that the exchange of nutrients and waste products takes place. After this exchange, the blood is collected by venules, which fuse to...
Veins as Blood Reservoirs01:10

Veins as Blood Reservoirs

Veins, while chiefly responsible for circulating blood back to the heart, also function as storage vessels for blood. They house approximately 64 percent of the body's total blood volume, a feat made possible by their high capacitance—the inherent ability to expand and accommodate large volumes of blood, even under low pressure. The large diameter and thin walls of veins augment their distensibility, significantly more so than arteries, due to their classification as capacitance vessels. When...
Arteries and Arterioles01:16

Arteries and Arterioles

Arteries, the vasculature responsible for transporting blood from the heart, possess robust walls capable of enduring the elevated pressures exerted by the heartbeat. Arteries near the heart are especially thick-walled and enriched with elastic fibers across their three tunics, classifying them as elastic or conducting arteries. These arteries, usually with a diameter exceeding 10 mm, are characterized by their ability to dilate in response to the blood pumped from the heart's ventricles and...
Arteries of the Head and Neck01:26

Arteries of the Head and Neck

The human body's intricate network of arteries ensures that every organ system receives the necessary oxygen and nutrients for optimal function. The arterial network in the head and neck region is particularly complex, providing vital blood flow to the brain, eyes, and other critical structures. Prominent arteries in this region include the internal carotid arteries and the vertebral arteries.
The internal carotid arteries supply blood to the anterior portion of the cerebrum. They enter the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Adult Mouse Venous Hypertension Model: Common Carotid Artery to External Jugular Vein Anastomosis.
08:27

Adult Mouse Venous Hypertension Model: Common Carotid Artery to External Jugular Vein Anastomosis.

Published on: January 27, 2015

Artery-Like Smooth Muscle Drives Contractile Function in Dural Venous Sinuses.

Madison E Lemire1,2, Hannah C Ryan1, Lillian S Hand1

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405.

Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|June 12, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Dural venous sinuses, crucial for draining blood from the head, possess unique artery-like smooth muscle cells. These cells actively regulate cerebral venous outflow, impacting intracranial pressure and blood volume.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Adult Mouse Venous Hypertension Model: Common Carotid Artery to External Jugular Vein Anastomosis.
08:27

Adult Mouse Venous Hypertension Model: Common Carotid Artery to External Jugular Vein Anastomosis.

Published on: January 27, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Vascular Biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Dural venous sinuses are critical for cerebral blood drainage and maintaining intracranial pressure.
  • Their role in cerebral hemodynamics is significant, with potential for active regulation of venous blood flow.
  • Understanding the cellular mechanisms controlling sinus diameter is key to understanding venous outflow regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the molecular and anatomical properties of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in dural venous sinuses.
  • To functionally assess the vasodynamics of dural venous sinuses and bridging veins.
  • To investigate the contractile mechanisms and calcium signaling of sinus SMCs.

Main Methods:

  • RNA-sequencing and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze dural vascular smooth muscle cells.
  • An ex vivo pressurized sinus preparation from mice was employed for functional characterization.
  • Vasodynamic properties and contractile responses to pressure and agonists were measured.

Main Results:

  • Artery-like SMCs were found exclusively in sinus vessels, not bridging veins.
  • Dural venous sinuses exhibit dynamic SMCs that constrict in response to pressure and contractile agonists.
  • Sinus SMCs display dynamic calcium signaling responsive to contractile stimuli.

Conclusions:

  • A distinct contractile SMC phenotype is localized to dural venous sinuses.
  • Sinus vessels possess active, artery-like mechanisms for regulating cerebral venous outflow.
  • These findings reveal a novel mechanism for controlling cerebral blood volume and intracranial pressure.