What do the transverse sinuses primarily collect?

The transverse sinuses are major venous channels located at the back of the skull, specifically within the dura mater. Their primary function is to collect venous blood from various regions of the brain, including blood that is drained from the superior sagittal sinus and the straight sinus. This venous blood is rich in carbon dioxide and metabolic waste products, which need to be returned to the systemic circulation for oxygenation.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent the primary role of the transverse sinuses. Oxygenated blood, for instance, is transported away from the heart to the brain via arteries, not collected by venous sinuses. Deoxygenated blood from the cerebellum would also contribute to the overall venous blood collected, but it does not encompass the full range of venous drainage that flows into the transverse sinuses. Cerebrospinal fluid, while crucial for CNS function, is not collected by the transverse sinuses; instead, it circulates through the ventricles and subarachnoid space and is absorbed into the venous circulation via arachnoid granulations. Therefore, the role of the transverse sinuses in collecting venous blood from various parts of the brain is key to understanding their function in cerebral circulation