Ventricular system: Difference between revisions

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A set of structures in the brain responsible for the production and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid

Ventricular system

The ventricular system is a set of four interconnected cavities (ventricles) in the brain, where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced and circulated. The system is composed of the two lateral ventricles, the third ventricle, and the fourth ventricle. These structures are crucial for protecting the brain, providing buoyancy, and removing waste products.

Anatomy

The ventricular system is lined with ependymal cells, which are a type of glial cell that helps in the production and circulation of CSF. The lateral ventricles are the largest and are located in the cerebral hemispheres. They connect to the third ventricle via the interventricular foramina (foramina of Monro). The third ventricle is situated in the midline of the brain, between the two halves of the thalamus. It connects to the fourth ventricle via the cerebral aqueduct (aqueduct of Sylvius).

The fourth ventricle is located between the pons and the cerebellum. It is continuous with the central canal of the spinal cord and opens into the subarachnoid space through the median aperture (foramen of Magendie) and the two lateral apertures (foramina of Luschka).

Function

The primary function of the ventricular system is the production and circulation of CSF, which cushions the brain and spinal cord, maintains intracranial pressure, and removes metabolic waste. CSF is produced by the choroid plexus, a network of capillaries located in the ventricles.

Clinical significance

Disorders of the ventricular system can lead to conditions such as hydrocephalus, where there is an abnormal accumulation of CSF, leading to increased intracranial pressure. This can result from blockages in the ventricular system, overproduction of CSF, or impaired absorption. Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a specific type of hydrocephalus that occurs in older adults and is characterized by gait disturbance, dementia, and urinary incontinence.

MRI showing normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Related pages

References

Susan,

 Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, 
 41st edition, 
 Elsevier, 
 2016, 
  
  
 ISBN 978-0-7020-5230-9,

,

 The pathophysiology of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: Cerebral hydrodynamics and the role of the transmantle pressure gradient, 
 Fluids and Barriers of the CNS, 
 2000,
 Vol. 7(Issue: 1),
 pp. 1-11,
 DOI: 10.1186/2045-8118-7-1,

File:Ventricular system.stl

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-'''Ventricular system''' is a set of four interconnected cavities (ventricles) in the brain, where the [[cerebrospinal fluid]] (CSF) is produced. The ventricular system is composed of 2 [[lateral ventricles]], the [[third ventricle]], the [[cerebral aqueduct]], and the [[fourth ventricle]]. The choroid plexuses located in the ventricles produce the CSF.
+{{Short description|A set of structures in the brain responsible for the production and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
-==Structure==
+==Ventricular system==
-The ventricular system is composed of structures that are responsible for the production, transport, and removal of cerebrospinal fluid. The system includes:
+The '''ventricular system''' is a set of four interconnected cavities (ventricles) in the brain, where [[cerebrospinal fluid]] (CSF) is produced and circulated. The system is composed of the two [[lateral ventricles]], the [[third ventricle]], and the [[fourth ventricle]]. These structures are crucial for protecting the brain, providing buoyancy, and removing waste products.
-* '''[[Lateral ventricles]]''': These are the two largest ventricles and they are located in the cerebral hemispheres. They produce and contain cerebrospinal fluid.
+[[File:Brain-ventricle-anatomy-diagram.jpg|thumb|Diagram of the brain's ventricular system.]]
-* '''[[Third ventricle]]''': This is a narrow, funnel-shaped ventricle located in the midline of the brain. It connects the lateral ventricles to the fourth ventricle.
-* '''[[Cerebral aqueduct]]''': Also known as the aqueduct of Sylvius, it connects the third ventricle to the fourth ventricle.
-* '''[[Fourth ventricle]]''': This is the final ventricle in the system, located at the base of the cerebellum. It connects to the central canal of the spinal cord.
-==Function==
+===Anatomy===
-The main function of the ventricular system is to produce and circulate cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid serves several important functions:
+The ventricular system is lined with [[ependymal cells]], which are a type of [[glial cell]] that helps in the production and circulation of CSF. The lateral ventricles are the largest and are located in the cerebral hemispheres. They connect to the third ventricle via the [[interventricular foramina]] (foramina of Monro). The third ventricle is situated in the midline of the brain, between the two halves of the [[thalamus]]. It connects to the fourth ventricle via the [[cerebral aqueduct]] (aqueduct of Sylvius).
-* '''Protection''': The CSF protects the brain from damage by cushioning it from impact and providing a fluid buffer.
+The fourth ventricle is located between the [[pons]] and the [[cerebellum]]. It is continuous with the central canal of the [[spinal cord]] and opens into the subarachnoid space through the [[median aperture]] (foramen of Magendie) and the two [[lateral apertures]] (foramina of Luschka).
-* '''Buoyancy''': The CSF provides buoyancy to the brain, reducing its effective weight and preventing pressure on the base of the brain.
-* '''Chemical stability''': The CSF helps to maintain the chemical environment of the nervous system.
-* '''Clearance of waste''': The CSF helps to remove waste products from the brain.
-==Clinical significance==
+[[File:Human_ventricular_system_-_animation.gif|thumb|Animation of the human ventricular system.]]
-Abnormalities in the ventricular system can lead to conditions such as [[hydrocephalus]], where there is an excessive accumulation of CSF in the brain. This can cause increased intracranial pressure and can lead to symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, can be life-threatening.
+===Function===
+The primary function of the ventricular system is the production and circulation of CSF, which cushions the brain and spinal cord, maintains intracranial pressure, and removes metabolic waste. CSF is produced by the [[choroid plexus]], a network of capillaries located in the ventricles.
+===Clinical significance===
+Disorders of the ventricular system can lead to conditions such as [[hydrocephalus]], where there is an abnormal accumulation of CSF, leading to increased intracranial pressure. This can result from blockages in the ventricular system, overproduction of CSF, or impaired absorption. [[Normal pressure hydrocephalus]] is a specific type of hydrocephalus that occurs in older adults and is characterized by gait disturbance, dementia, and urinary incontinence.
+[[File:NPH_MRI_272_GILD.gif|thumb|MRI showing normal pressure hydrocephalus.]]
+==Related pages==
+* [[Cerebrospinal fluid]]
+* [[Hydrocephalus]]
+* [[Choroid plexus]]
+* [[Ependymal cell]]
+==References==
+* {{cite book |last=Standring |first=Susan |title=Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice |edition=41st |year=2016 |publisher=Elsevier |isbn=978-0-7020-5230-9}}
+* {{cite journal |last1=Bateman |first1=G. A. |title=The pathophysiology of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: Cerebral hydrodynamics and the role of the transmantle pressure gradient |journal=Fluids and Barriers of the CNS |year=2000 |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=1-11 |doi=10.1186/2045-8118-7-1}}
+[[File:Ventricular_system.stl|thumb|3D model of the ventricular system.]]
 [[Category:Neuroanatomy]]
-[[Category:Neurology]]
+[[Category:Ventricular system]]
-[[Category:Medical terminology]]
-{{stub}}