Ventricle

The cerebral ventricles have been recognized since ancient medical history. Their true function started to be realized more than a thousand years later. Their anatomy and function are extremely important in the neurosurgical panorama ¹⁾.

The intracranial ventricles are anatomical interconnected cavities where the cerebrospinal fluid flows through.

The ventricular system is composed by the four well known cavities:

The two lateral ventricles

The third ventricle

The fourth ventricle.

Each lateral ventricle communicates with the third ventricle through the foramen of Monro and the third ventricle communicates with the fourth through the aqueduct of Sylvius.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathway studies have revealed that the CSF secreted from the choroid plexus of the ventricles after egressing from the fourth ventricle reaches the basal suprasellar cistern and ultimately the sylvian cisterns.

It is continuous with the central canal of spinal cord. The ventricle lining consists of an epithelium-like membrane called ependyma.

The ventricles are interconnected, allowing the flow of cerebrospinal fluid.

Narrowing of the aqueduct of Sylvius can blocks the cerebrospinal fluid motion in the ventricular system.

see Intraventricular tumor.

see Ventriculitis.