Ventricles and CSF

Question 1

Ventricles are interconnected spaces/ cavities that lie where?

Answer 1

Within the brain

Question 2

What is the central canal of the spinal cord a continuation of?

Answer 2

The ventricular system within that structure

Question 3

What embryological structures are these spaces formed from?

Answer 3

Neural tube

Question 4

Where does the lateral ventricle anterior horn lie?

Answer 4

Frontal lobe

Question 5

Where does the lateral ventricle body lie?

Answer 5

Parietal lobe

Question 6

Where does the posterior horn in the lateral ventricle lie?

Answer 6

Occipital lobe

Question 7

Where does the lateral ventricle inferior horn lie?

Answer 7

Temporal lobe

Question 8

What does the itnerventricular foramen lie in?

Answer 8

Cavity within Diencephalon – (between thalamus & fornix)

Question 9

Where is in the 3rd ventricle?

Answer 9

Cavity within the diencephalon

Question 10

Where is the cerebral aqueduct?

Answer 10

Within the brainstem

Question 11

Where is the 4th ventricle?

Answer 11

Between pons, medulla and cerebellum

Question 12

What name is given to the specialised structures that lie in the ventricles that generate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?

Answer 12

Choroid plexus

Question 13

Answer 13

Question 14

How does CSF pass into the subarachnoid space from the 4th ventricle?

Answer 14

Through the foramen of Lushka laterally or the foramen of Magendie medially.

Question 15

At which location is cerebrospinal fluid finally resorbed back into the general circulation?

Answer 15

Reabsorbed through outpouching (arachnoid granulations) into the superior sagittal sinusReabsorbed through outpouching (arachnoid granulations) into the superior sagittal sinus

Question 16

On a bony skull cap identify the groove for the superior sagittal sinus. Identify indentations on either side of this groove. What makes these indentations?

Answer 16

The arachnoid granulations

Question 17

What happens if the circulation of the CSF is restricted?

Answer 17

There will be an increase in intracerebral pressure

Question 18

What happens if there are infancy congenital defects in circulation?

Answer 18

Circulation lead to a progressive enlargement of the head and a reciprocal reduction in the cerebral matter.

This condition is known as hydrocephalus and can occur in isolation or as part of spina bifida.

This is a very treatable condition using a tube known as a shunt to redirect the fluid out of the cerebral circulation into the deep venous system.

Question 19

What can happen if there is distruption of the CSF circulation in later life?

Answer 19

Can also be associated with trauma and will not result in the enlargement of the head

Question 20

What do you think CSF circulation disruption would result in with respect to the brain?

Answer 20

Increased intracranial pressure, causing headaches, cognitive impairment, features of raised ICP & ataxia develop.

Can cause posterior fossa & brainstem tumours, subarachnoid haemorrhage, a third ventricle colloid cyst.