Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionAssociated Conditions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anatomy
Function
Associated Conditions
The ventricular system consists of fourventriclesin the brain. Ventricles are a communicating network of chambers filled withcerebrospinal fluid(CSF).
The ventricular system is the pathway for the CSF and is critical to thecentral nervous system’s overall functioning. Developmental anomalies that impact the ventricular system include hydrocephalus and neural tube defects.
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The pair of lateral ventricles are the largest of the four ventricles in the brain. They are located in the largest part of the brain, thecerebrum. The third ventricle is in thediencephalon, located in the center of the brain. The fourth ventricle is located in the hindbrain.
The ventricular system produces, transports, and excretes CSF, which coats the central nervous system. Each ventricle containschoroid plexus, which makes the circulating CSF.
The CSF moves from the lateral ventricles to the third ventricle and finally to the fourth ventricle, where it exits and bathes the brain and spinal cord. The CSF is then absorbed back into the bloodstream.
The ventricular system helps the central nervous system function properly. The fluid it produces protects the brain and provides the correct mix of chemicals that keep the brain in balance.
Congenital Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus can also occur in children and adults due to trauma, infection,stroke, andtumors. Risks for congenital hydrocephalus include maternal infections in the mother liketoxoplasmosisorsyphilis, other congenital neural tube malformations, or a genetic defect.
Symptoms in children include headaches, vision changes, head enlargement, sleepiness, nausea and vomiting, trouble with balance and coordination, loss of appetite, irritability, and cognitive delay or decline.
Symptoms in adults include headaches, sleepiness, problems with balance and coordination, frequent urination andincontinence, vision changes, and difficulty with memory and concentration. People over 60 may additionally experience a decline in thinking and reasoning skills and may have trouble walking.
Emergency treatment may be necessary and could include medication, alumbar puncture(also called a spinal tap), and a procedure to drain fluid from the brain until a shunt can be put in.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifidaoccurs when the neural tube does not close all of the way in utero, resulting in damage to the spinal cord and nerves. Spina bifida can lead to intellectual and physical disabilities.
It is unknown what causes spina bifida. To reduce the risk of spina bifida, pregnant people are advised to supplement with 400 micrograms (mcg) offolic acid.
Diagnosis:Spina bifida can be diagnosed during pregnancy with a blood test to measure alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), an ultrasound, or amniocentesis. After birth, diagnosis is made through a physical exam,X-ray, MRI, or CT scan.
Treatment:Treatment for spina bifida depends on how the condition has impacted the body. Options include surgery on the fetus to close the spine, treatment for hydrocephalus, surgery to repair a tethered spinal cord, and the use of braces, crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs.
Anencephaly
Anencephaly occurs when the fetal brain, skull, and scalp do not fully develop. Newborns with this condition usually only live for a few hours to several days. Often pregnancies with anencephaly end withmiscarriageor stillbirth.
A combination of things may cause anencephaly.Known prenatal risk factors include lack of folic acid during pregnancy,diabetes, high body temperature from the use of saunas and hot tubs, certain medications includingopioids, andobesity.
Diagnosis:Anencephaly can be diagnosed prenatally with a blood test called aquad marker screen, an ultrasound, a fetal MRI, and an amniocentesis.
Treatment:The condition is untreatable and fatal.
Dandy-Walker Syndrome
Dandy-Walker syndromeoccurs when the cerebellum does not properly form and the ventricles fail to open. A marker of Dandy-Walker syndrome is the presence of a posterior fossa cyst.
The condition may result in brain and central nervous system abnormalities. Hydrocephalus occurs in a majority of cases. The prominent symptom is an enlarged head and intracranial pressure.
Diagnosis:Dandy-Walker is diagnosed with ultrasound, MRI, and CT scans.
Treatment:Treatment involves a shunt to drain a cyst and/or ventricles.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, Michigan Medicine.Congenital hydrocephalus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is spina bifida?Cleveland Clinic.Anencephaly.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, Michigan Medicine.Congenital hydrocephalus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is spina bifida?Cleveland Clinic.Anencephaly.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, Michigan Medicine.Congenital hydrocephalus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is spina bifida?Cleveland Clinic.Anencephaly.
C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, Michigan Medicine.Congenital hydrocephalus.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is spina bifida?
Cleveland Clinic.Anencephaly.
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