Home › Body Atlas › Vessels › Internal Cerebral Veins

Internal Cerebral Veins

venae cerebri internae

The internal cerebral veins are paired deep cerebral veins running in the roof of the third ventricle within the tela choroidea. Each is formed at the foramen of Monro by the union of the thalamostriate vein and the choroidal vein. They drain the basal ganglia, thalami, and the internal capsule, and join in the midline at the splenium of the corpus callosum to form the great cerebral vein of Galen.

Region: Head & Skull

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

The internal cerebral veins and their tributaries are the primary site of deep cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), producing the characteristic bilateral thalamic oedema seen on MRI as bilateral symmetric thalamic signal change — sometimes called the butterfly pattern. Deep CVT carries a worse prognosis than cortical CVT due to the critical structures drained. The internal cerebral veins are visualised on MR venography and their occlusion is the key finding. Severe cases produce stupor, coma, and vertical gaze palsy from thalamic-midbrain dysfunction.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Deep Cerebral Venous Thrombosis

Thrombosis of the internal cerebral veins produces bilateral thalamic venous infarction with oedema visible as the bilateral thalamic butterfly pattern on MRI FLAIR, presenting with decreased consciousness, vertical gaze palsy, and memory impairment, managed with anticoagulation and treating the underlying prothrombotic condition.