Diploic canals

Canales diploici

  • Latin eponym: Canales Breschetti

Definition

The diploic canals (or diploic channels) are small pathways within the spongy cancellous bone or diploe that is situated between the compact outer and inner tables of the cranial bones. These diploic canals contain veins which are known as diploic veins. Typically, the diploic canals are located closer to the inner table of the cranial vault.

These diploic canals, which house the diploic veins, extend from the top of the skull along its lateral walls towards the cranial base. At the cranial base, the diploic veins can end in one of three ways: 1) by connecting to the external veins of the skull; 2) by joining the internal veins alongside the meningeal arteries; or 3) by entering the dural sinuses.

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Text written by Muhammad A. Javaid, MD, PhD © 2024 IMAIOS.

  • Skrzat, J. and Zarzecki, M., 2022. Cranial diploic channels and their veins—a review of literature. Folia Medica Cracoviensia, pp.77-90.


Comparative anatomy in animals

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