The ventricular system is a set of communicating cavities within the brain. These structures are responsible for
the production, transport and removal of cerebrospinal fluid
, which bathes the central nervous system.
Why are ventricles important?
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a liquid surrounding your brain and spinal cord that cushions and protects them from trauma. It is also responsible for removing waste and delivering nutrients to your brain. … These are known as your brain ventricles, and they are
essential to maintaining your central nervous system
.
What do the ventricles of the brain do?
The ventricles of the brain are
a communicating network of cavities filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
and located within the brain parenchyma. … The choroid plexuses are located in the ventricles produce CSF, which fills the ventricles and subarachnoid space, following a cycle of constant production and reabsorption.
How do the ventricles of the brain communicate?
There are several
foramina
, openings acting as channels, that connect the ventricles. The interventricular foramina (also called the foramina of Monro) connect the lateral ventricles to the third ventricle through which the cerebrospinal fluid can flow.
What circulates through the ventricles What is the function?
The ventricles are filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which provides the following functions:
Absorbs physical shocks to the brain
.
Distributes nutritive materials to and removes wastes from nervous tissue
.
Provides a chemically stable environment
.
What does it mean to have enlarged ventricles in brain?
Hydrocephalus
is the abnormal enlargement of the brain cavities (ventricles) caused by a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Usually, the body maintains a constant circulation and absorption of CSF. Untreated, hydrocephalus can result in brain damage or death.
Which ventricle is more muscular?
The left ventricle
of your heart is larger and thicker than the right ventricle. This is because it has to pump the blood further around the body, and against higher pressure, compared with the right ventricle.
What causes small ventricles in the brain?
Hydrocephalus ex-vacuo occurs when
a stroke or injury damages the brain
and brain matter actually shrinks. The brain may shrink in older patients or those with Alzheimer’s disease, and CSF volume increases to fill the extra space. In these instances, the ventricles are enlarged, but the pressure usually is normal.
Which part of the brain is the largest part?
The cerebrum
(front of brain) comprises gray matter (the cerebral cortex) and white matter at its center. The largest part of the brain, the cerebrum initiates and coordinates movement and regulates temperature.
Is the brain hollow?
The brain has hollow fluid-filled cavities called
ventricles
(Fig. 7). Inside the ventricles is a ribbon-like structure called the choroid plexus that makes clear colorless cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF flows within and around the brain and spinal cord to help cushion it from injury.
What is the fourth ventricle of the brain?
The fourth ventricle is
the most inferiorly located ventricle
, draining directly into the central canal of the spinal cord. … It is surrounded anteriorly by the pons and medulla, posteriorly by the cerebellum, and inferiorly by the spinal canal and spinal cord.
What are brain sulci?
Cerebral sulci and fissures are
grooves between the adjacent gyri on the surface of the cerebral hemispheres
. … Some may not be present in a number of individuals and others deep enough to produce elevations on the surface of the ventricles (e.g. collateral sulcus, calcarine sulcus/calcar avis)
4
.
What is the third ventricle of the brain called?
The third ventricle,
the cavity of the diencephalon
, is a narrow, vertically oriented midline space that communicates rostrally with the lateral ventricles and caudally with the cerebral aqueduct (Figs. 6.4 and 6.8).
What does the corpus callosum do?
The two hemispheres in your brain are connected by a thick bundle of nerve fibres called the corpus callosum that
ensures both sides of the brain can communicate and send signals to each other
.
Where is CSF returned to the blood?
CSF returns to the vascular system by
entering the dural venous sinuses via arachnoid granulations
. These are outpouchings of the arachnoid mater into the venous sinuses around the brain, with valves to ensure one-way drainage. This occurs because of a pressure difference between the arachnoid mater and venous sinuses.
What does the fourth ventricle control?
The fourth ventricle contains cerebrospinal fluid. … The main function of this ventricle is to
protect the human brain from trauma (via a cushioning effect)
and to help form the central canal, which runs the length of the spinal cord.
