Lateral ventricles

Brain: Lateral ventricles
Scheme showing relations of the ventricles to the surface of the brain.
Drawing of a cast of the ventricular cavities, viewed from the side.
Latin	ventriculus lateralis
Gray's	subject #189 829
NeuroNames	hier-191
MeSH	Lateral+Ventricles

The lateral ventricles are part of the ventricular system of the brain. Classified as part of the telencephalon, they are the largest of the ventricles.

The lateral ventricles connect to the central third ventricle through the interventricular foramina of Monro.

Clinical significance

The volume of the lateral ventricles are known to increase with age. They are also enlarged in a number of neurological conditions and are on average larger in patients with schizophrenia ^[1] and bipolar disorder.^[2]

Divisions

Each lateral ventricle has three horns:

• the anterior or frontal horn extends into the frontal lobe
• the posterior or occipital horn into the occipital lobe
• the inferior or temporal horn into the temporal lobe

The body of the lateral ventricle is the central portion, just posterior to the frontal horn. The trigone of the lateral ventricle is a triangular area defined by the temporal horn inferiorly, the occipital horn posteriorly, and the body of the lateral ventricle anteriorly. The cella media is the central part of the lateral ventricle.

Development

Lateral ventricles, as other parts of ventricular system of the brain, originate from central canal of the neural tube. During the first trimester of pregnancy central canal expands into lateral, third and fourth ventricles, connected by thinner channels. ^[3] In lateral ventricles specialized areas- choroid plexuses appear, which produce cerebrospinal fluid. If its production is bigger then resorption or its circulation is blocked- the enlargement of the ventricles may appear and cause a hydrocephalus. Fetal lateral ventricles may be diagnosed using linear or planar measurements.^[4]

References

Additional images

Coronal section of brain immediately in front of pons.	Coronal section of brain through intermediate mass of third ventricle.	Section of brain showing upper surface of temporal lobe.	Drawing of a cast of the ventricular cavities, viewed from above.
Central part and anterior and posterior cornua of lateral ventricles exposed from above.	Coronal section through posterior cornua of lateral ventricle.	Posterior and inferior cornua of left lateral ventricle exposed from the side.	Inferior and posterior cornua, viewed from above.
Horizontal section of right cerebral hemisphere.	Coronal section through anterior cornua of lateral ventricles.	Coronal section of brain through anterior commissure.	Coronal section of inferior horn of lateral ventricle.
Human brain left dissected midsagittal view	Human brain right dissected lateral view

External links

• Illustration of horns at cerebromente.org.br

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