-
The ventricular system consists of lateral, third and fourth
ventricles and the cerebral aqueduct.
-
The lateral ventricle is located within the cerebral hemisphere
and is approximately C-shaped. It communicates, via the interventircular
foramen (foramen of Monro) with the third ventricle
-
The third ventricle is a midline, slit-like cavity. Its lateral
wall consist of the thalamus and hypothalamus. Caudally, the third ventricle
becomes continuous with the cerebral aqueduct (aqueduct of Sylvius).
-
The aqueduct of Sylvius extends throughout the midbrain,
linking the third and fourth and ventricles.
-
The fourth ventricle is located between the brain stem (pons
and medulla) and the cerebellum. A median aperture (foramen of Magendie)
and two lateral apertures (foramina of Luschka) communicate with the subarachnoid
space surrounding the brain.
-
Each ventricle contains choroid plexus, which secretes CSF.
CSF flows in the direction: lateral ventricle ->third ventricle -> cerebral
aqueduct-> fourth ventricle-> subarachnoid space
-
The combined ventricular system and subarachnoid space contains
about 150 ml of CSF, this volume being produced several times each day.
-
CSF is reabsorbed into the venous system through arachnoid
villim which project into the superior sagittal dural sinus.
|
