Fourth ventricle
Fourth Ventricle
The Fourth Ventricle (pronounced: /ˈfɔːrθ ˈvɛntrɪkəl/) is a cavity within the brain that is filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). It is one of the four connected fluid-filled cavities comprising the ventricular system within the human brain.
Etymology
The term "Fourth Ventricle" is derived from the Latin words "quartus" meaning fourth and "ventriculus" meaning little belly, referring to the cavity within the brain.
Anatomy
The Fourth Ventricle is located within the pons and medulla oblongata of the brainstem. It extends from the cerebral aqueduct (aqueduct of Sylvius) to the obex, and is filled with cerebrospinal fluid which is produced by the choroid plexus.
Function
The primary function of the Fourth Ventricle is to protect the human brain from trauma and to help form the central canal that runs down the spinal cord. The cerebrospinal fluid produced in the Fourth Ventricle circulates nutrients and removes waste from the brain and spinal cord.
Related Terms
- Brainstem: The part of the brain continuous with the spinal cord and comprising the medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain.
- Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF): The clear bodily fluid that fills the space in the brain and spinal cord.
- Choroid Plexus: A plexus of cells that produces the cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain.
- Medulla Oblongata: The continuation of the spinal cord within the skull, forming the lowest part of the brainstem.
- Pons: The part of the brainstem that links the medulla oblongata and the thalamus.
- Ventricular System: A set of four interconnected cavities (ventricles) in the brain, where the cerebrospinal fluid is produced.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Fourth ventricle
- Wikipedia's article - Fourth ventricle
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski