biomedicalephemera: Lateral and isolated view of the...

By: vivian on sexta-feira, maio 15, 2015

biomedicalephemera:

Lateral and isolated view of the ventricles

The brain has two lateral ventricles (top, in both hemispheres), the third ventricle (which looks like it’s being eaten by the laterals), and a fourth ventricle (lowermost ventricle). The fourth ventricle connects to the spinal column.

Each ventricle is filled with cerebrospinal fluid, which cushions the brain and allows it to increase in volume without compressing its other sections. It also allows us to fall great distances and have our brains survive - the ventricles allow much more vertical compression than lateral. It also supplies many of the nutrients to the brain. This fluid circulates throughout the brain and spinal column, like blood.

Many conditions can cause ventricles to over-fill with CSF. Both the cerebral aqueduct and the foramina connecting the ventricles are very narrow, and easily blocked off. When high pressure occurs in the ventricles, the brain tissue is pushed outwards, causing hydrocephalus, or “water on the brain”. 

Anatomy of the Human Body.  Henry Gray, 1918.

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