Which sinus drains blood from the cavernous sinus to the internal jugular vein?

The inferior petrosal sinus is responsible for draining blood from the cavernous sinus directly into the internal jugular vein. This sinus runs along the petrous part of the temporal bone and serves as a crucial conduit for venous blood, primarily from structures around the cavernous sinus, which is located at the base of the skull.

Understanding the anatomy of the venous sinuses is vital for recognizing how blood from various regions of the head drains and returns to the systemic circulation. The inferior petrosal sinus plays a direct role in this process by facilitating drainage from the cavernous sinus, thus ensuring that deoxygenated blood is efficiently conveyed back towards the heart through the internal jugular vein.

The other options represent sinuses involved in different drainage pathways or anatomical functions but do not connect the cavernous sinus to the internal jugular vein. For instance, the superior petrosal sinus drains into the transverse sinus, not directly into the internal jugular vein, while the transverse sinus and occipital sinus have their own distinct drainage routes that do not involve the cavernous sinus.