Ventricles and CSF

Question 1

What is the function of the ventricles?

Answer 1

is filled with and transports CSF

Question 2

What are the ventricles lined with?

Answer 2

Ependyma which is specialized epithelial cells

Question 3

Where is the CSF produced?

Answer 3

Choroid plexus

Question 4

What is the path of CSF in brain?

Answer 4

CSF flows from the lateral ventricles via the foramina of Monro into the third ventricle, and then the fourth ventricle via the cerebral aqueduct in the brainstem. From there it can pass into the central canal of the spinal cord or into the cisterns of the subarachnoid space via three small foramina: the central foramen of Magendie (medial apeture) and the two lateral foramina of Luschka.

The fluid then flows around the subarachnoid space and exis arachnoid granulations into superior sagittal sinus to which it passes through the jugular vein and major venous system

Question 5

What are the two cisterns in subarachnoid space?

Answer 5

Lumbar cistern and Cistern Magna

Question 6

What is the lumbar cistern?

Answer 6

enlargement of the subarachnoid space between the conus medullaris of spinal cord (about vertebral level L2) and inferior end of subarachnoid space and dura mater (about vertebral level S2)

Question 7

What is the cistern magna?

Answer 7

The cisterna magna is located between the cerebellum and the dorsal surface of the medulla oblongata. CSF produced in the ventricular system drains into the cisterna magna from the fourth ventricle via the median aperture (of Magendie) and the lateral apertures (of Luschka) 1-2.

Question 8

What is hydrocephalus?

Answer 8

Increased pressure from an abnormal amount of CSF in brain

Question 9

What are Sx of hydrocephalus in children?

Answer 9

enlarged head and brain compression

Question 10

What are Sx of hydrocephalus in adults?

Answer 10

normal size skull with brain compression

Question 11

What are the two ways CSF flow can be blocked?

Answer 11

1. blockage of ventricular paths

2. blockage within subarachnoid space to sinus

Question 12

What is non-communicating hydrocephalus?

Answer 12

blockage of flow within the ventricles, does not go into subarachnoid space

Dye will not be seen during spinal lumbar tap

Question 13

What is communicating hydrocephalus?

Answer 13

The CSF is in the subarachnoid space but cannot exit to sinus due to disfunction in arachnoid granulations

dye seen in lumbar spinal tap

Question 14

What are the causes of hydrocephalus?

Answer 14

infections or tumors