ventrikkeleitä

Ventricles are fluid-filled cavities within the brain that play a crucial role in the production and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). There are four ventricles in the human brain, classified into two main types: lateral ventricles and third and fourth ventricles.

The lateral ventricles are the largest and most prominent, located in the cerebral hemispheres. Each lateral ventricle is divided into two parts by the corpus callosum: the frontal horn and the occipital horn. The third ventricle is located in the diencephalon, inferior to the thalamus and superior to the pons. It is connected to the lateral ventricles by the interventricular foramen and to the fourth ventricle by the cerebral aqueduct. The fourth ventricle is the smallest and deepest, situated in the brainstem, inferior to the pons and superior to the medulla oblongata. It is connected to the subarachnoid space by the median aperture.

The ventricles are lined by ependymal cells, which produce CSF through the absorption of water and small molecules. This CSF circulates through the ventricles and the subarachnoid space, providing buoyancy to the brain, removing waste products, and acting as a shock absorber. The circulation of CSF is driven by the rhythmic pulsations of the ventricles, which are regulated by the brain's own pacemaker, the central pattern generator.

Disorders of the ventricles, such as hydrocephalus, can lead to an accumulation of CSF, causing increased intracranial pressure and potentially life-threatening complications. Ventricular systems are also of interest in neurosurgical procedures, as they can be used to access and drain CSF for diagnostic purposes or to relieve pressure in cases of hydrocephalus.