This is the first of two articles designed to provide user-friendly schematics of the adult dural vascular anatomy. It describes the intrinsic meningeal arteries and veins of the skull base/cranial vault and the dural partitions (the tentorium, falx cerebelli, and falx cerebri). The discussion of this anatomy is supplemented by illustrative pathologic insights. The second article focuses on the dural sinuses and their remaining tributaries from the brain, diploë, and emissary veins from the extracranial soft tissues. This information will assist in interpreting neuroimaging studies, communications with clinicians, and teaching of this difficult subject.