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Vein of Labbé (also called the inferior anastomotic vein of Labbé) is an important superficial cerebral vein that plays a critical role in draining the lateral surface of the temporal lobe.

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Anatomy

Feature	Description
Type	Superficial cerebral vein
Origin	Formed by temporal lobe cortical veins (mostly middle and inferior)
Course	Courses posteroinferiorly across the temporal lobe, within the Sylvian fissure, toward the transverse sinus
Drainage	Drains into the transverse sinus (occasionally sigmoid sinus)
Anastomoses	Connects the superficial middle cerebral vein (vein of Sylvius) and transverse sinus; sometimes communicates with vein of Trolard (superior anastomotic vein)

🧠 Mnemonic:

Trolard = Top (superior, connects to superior sagittal sinus)
Labbé = Lower (inferior, connects to transverse sinus)

Comparison: Veins of Trolard vs Labbé

Feature	Vein of Trolard	Vein of Labbé
Location	Superior/lateral	Inferolateral/temporal
Connects	Superficial middle cerebral vein → Superior sagittal sinus	Superficial middle cerebral vein → Transverse sinus
Importance	Frontal/parietal drainage	Temporal lobe drainage

Clinical Relevance

I. Neurosurgical Importance

Preservation critical during temporal lobe surgery, especially:
- Epilepsy surgery
- Resection of tumors (e.g., gliomas, meningiomas)
Injury may lead to venous infarction of the temporal lobe

II. Venous Infarction

Occlusion or damage → hemorrhagic venous infarct in temporal lobe
Symptoms may include:
- Headache
- Seizures
- Focal neurologic deficits

III. Anatomic variation

High anatomic variability: may be hypoplastic or duplicated
Important during preoperative planning or venous sinus stenting procedures