Lecture Notes: Flow of CSF Through the Ventricles of the Brain

Introduction

• Topic: Flow of CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) through brain ventricles

Overview of Ventricles

• Lateral Ventricles (in blue)
  • Bilateral, one on each side
  • Shaped like claws
  • Components:
    • Frontal Horn: No choroid plexus
    • Occipital Horn: No choroid plexus, extends into the occipital lobe
    • Temporal Horn: Houses the hippocampus
    • Body: Located on top
• Third Ventricle (in purple): Located in the middle, imagined as being grabbed by the lateral ventricles
• Fourth Ventricle (in orange): Diamond-shaped, located beneath the third ventricle

Key Anatomical Features

• Cerebral Aqueduct of Silvius: Narrow channel between the third and fourth ventricles
  • Imaginary association: Skinny lady named Sylvia
• Foramen of Monroe: Connects lateral ventricles to the third ventricle
  • Imaginary association: Four men in a row (foramen of Monroe)
• Foramina of the Fourth Ventricle
  • Foramen of Magendi: Midline, association: M (midline) and M (Magendi)
  • Foramina of Lushka: Lateral, association: L (lateral) and L (Lushka)

Flow of CSF

1. From Lateral Ventricles
   • Through paired foramina of Monroe
2. Into the Third Ventricle
3. Down the Cerebral Aqueduct of Silvius
4. Into the Fourth Ventricle
5. Through Foramina in Fourth Ventricle
   • Foramen of Magendi (midline)
   • Foramina of Lushka (lateral)
6. Into Subarachnoid Space
7. Down the Central Canal of the Spinal Cord

Conclusion

• Recap of ventricle anatomy and CSF flow
• End of session