Does the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve traverse the cavernous sinus? An anatomical study and review of the literature.

Aim: Many authors have included the V2 segment of the trigeminal nerve as a component of the cavernous sinus. However, many authorities have stated that this part of the fifth cranial nerve is not within this intracranial venous sinus.

Materials And Methods: To further elucidate this potentially important relationship, 10 fresh cadaveric heads underwent injection of the cavernous sinus with blue latex or a cresyl-violet solution.