Lateral ventricles: Definition from Answers.com

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.

1 Clinical significance
2 Divisions
3 Development
4 References
5 Additional images
6 External links

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. Ependyma cover the inside of the lateral ventricles and are epithelial cells. ^[3]

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. ^[4] 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.^[5]

References

^ Wright IC, Rabe-Hesketh S, Woodruff PW, David AS, Murray RM, Bullmore ET (January 2000). "Meta-analysis of regional brain volumes in schizophrenia". Am J Psychiatry 157 (1): 16–25. PMID 10618008. http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=10618008.
^ Kempton, M.J., Geddes, J.R, Ettinger, U. et al. (2008). "Meta-analysis, Database, and Meta-regression of 98 Structural Imaging Studies in Bipolar Disorder," Archives of General Psychiatry, 65:1017–1032 see also MRI database at www.bipolardatabase.org.
^ Crossman, A R (2005). Neuroanatomy. Elsevier. p. 32. ISBN 978-0-443-10036-9.
^ Carlson, Bruce M. (1999). Human Embryology & Developmental Biology. Mosby. pp. 237-238. ISBN 0-8151-1458-3.
^ Glonek M, Kedzia A, Derkowski W. Planar measurements of foetal lateral ventricles. Folia morphologica 2003;62(3):263-5.PMID: 14507062.

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

v • d • e Human brain, cerebrum, Interior of the cerebral hemispheres: Lateral ventricles (TA A14.1.09.272-287, GA 9.829-831)

Ventricular system: Lateral ventricles	Anterior horn Body: Lamina affixa · Terminal stria · Collateral eminence Posterior horn: Calcar avis Inferior horn

This neuroscience article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

Donate to Wikimedia

	What is the triangular membrane separating t the anterior horns of the lateral ventricles? Read answer...
	Which part of the intrinsic conduction system sends fibers along the lateral walls of the ventricles towards the base and stimulates the papillary muscles? Read answer...
	What is a ventricle? Read answer...

	What does dilatation of the 3rd ventricle with mild dilatation of the lateral ventricles indicate?
	Each lateral ventricle communicates with the third ventricle through what?
	What is asymmetric lateral ventricle?

		Sci-Tech Dictionary. McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms. Copyright © 2003, 1994, 1989, 1984, 1978, 1976, 1974 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more
		Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Lateral ventricles". Read more

Lateral ventricles

Contents