Ventricular System Presentation

Meninges

• 3 layers of delicate tissue surrounding the brain

• Provides additional protection for the CNS

Meninges Tissue Layers

Dura mater: adhered to skull

• Epidural space

• Subdural space

Arachnoid mater

• Subarachnoid space (CSF)

Pia mater: adhered tightly to gyri and sulci

The Ventricles

The two lateral ventricles extend across a large area of the brain. The anterior horns of these structures are located in the frontal lobes.

They extend posteriorly into the parietal lobes and their inferior horns are found in the temporal lobes

The third ventricle lies between the

two thalamic bodies

The fourth ventricle is located between the

cerebellum and the pons

The four ventricles are connected

to one another

Foramen of Magendie

only one connecting 4th ventricle to

subarachnoid space below the cerebellum (cisterna magna)

The two foramina of Munro, link the

lateral ventricles to the third ventricle

The Aqueduct of Sylvius which is also called the

cerebral aqueduct connects the third and fourth ventricles

Choroid Plexus

All of the ventricles contain this which produce cerebrospinal fluid by allowing certain components of blood to enter the ventricles

Cerebrospinal fluid is a

clear liquid produced within spaces in the brain called ventricles

Cerebrospinal fluid is found in

The subarachnoid space of the meninges which surrounds both the brain and the spinal cord

• It acts as a cushion for the neural axis, also bringing nutrients and hormones to the brain and spinal cord and removing waste from the system.

a space inside the spinal chord called the central canal also contains

cerebrospinal fluid

Hydrocephalus Causes

• Excessive production

• Meningitis

• Tumor-causing blockage

• Hemorrhagic/inflammation

• Normal pressure hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus

a condition in which fluid accumulates in the brain, typically in young children, enlarging the head and sometimes causing brain damage