Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionAssociated ConditionsDiagnosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anatomy
Function
Associated Conditions
Diagnosis
Ventricles of the brain are cavities within the brain that produce and storecerebrospinal fluid(CSF). This liquid surrounds yourbrainandspinal cord, cushioning them and protecting them fromtrauma. It is also responsible for removing waste and delivering nutrients to your brain.
The four brain ventricles are essential to maintaining yourcentral nervous system(CNS), which your brain and spinal cord comprise. The CNS is where information is processed in the body so that functions from temperature regulation to thought, movement, and much more can be controlled.
This article takes a closer look at the anatomy and functions of the brain ventricles. It also contains information about health conditions related to your ventricular system and how those conditions are diagnosed.
Brain Ventricle Anatomy
Your brain’s ventricular system is comprised of four ventricles as well as small structures that connect each ventricle calledforamina. In this way, your brain ventricles are continuous with one another.
Thefirst and second ventriclesare lateral ventricles. These C-shaped structures are located beneath thecerebral cortex, the wrinkly outer layer of your brain. Usually, the lateral ventricles are symmetrical. But between 5% and 12% of the population are anatomically different, with one side larger than the other. When this happens, it’s usually the left side that’s larger.
Thethird ventricleis a narrow, funnel-shaped structure situated between your right and leftthalamus, just above your brain stem.
Thefourth ventricleis a diamond-shaped structure that runs alongside yourbrain stem. It has four openings through which cerebrospinal fluid drains into an area surrounding your brain (subarachnoidspace) and the central canal of your spinal cord.
CSF takes the following route through the four ventricles of the brain:
The average adult has about 150 milliliters (mL) of CSF circulating through their ventricles and subarachnoid space at any given time.
Your brain has four ventricles that produce cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid drains from your fourth ventricle into a canal surrounding your brain and spinal cord.
Anatomy of the Ventricular System
Brain Ventricle Function
Aside from cerebrospinal fluid, your brain ventricles are hollow. Their sole function is to produce and secrete cerebrospinal fluid to protect and maintain your central nervous system.
In addition, cerebrospinal fluid serves a number of other important functions:
Infection, head trauma, andbleeding in the braincan cause inflammation in the ventricles and subarachnoid space. That inflammation blocks the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, causing the brain ventricles to swell in size and placing pressure on the brain.
The following ventricle-related conditions are life-threatening. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms described below, call 911 or have someone take you to the nearest ER immediately.
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalusis a life-threatening medical condition in which cerebrospinal fluid gets blocked and builds up in the ventricles or subarachnoid space. As a result, the pressure within the skull increases and the ventricles enlarge.
Hydrocephalus can bepresent at birth dueto a genetic or developmental abnormality. It can also develop due to abrainorspinal cord tumor, astrokeorhead trauma that causes bleedingin the brain, or an infection likebacterial meningitis.
There are two primary types of hydrocephalus:
Any person of any age can get hydrocephalus, but it is most common in infants and adults ages 60 and older. Symptoms of hydrocephalus vary slightly among age groups. Normal pressure hydrocephalus, a communicating type in which there’s no CFS pressure buildup, more often occurs in older adults.
In infants, look for these symptoms of hydrocephalus:
In older adults, the symptoms include:
In all other age groups, the symptoms of hydrocephalus can include:
Recent research suggests that five-year mortality for people living with normal pressure hydrocephalus is 87.5%.There’s also an increased risk of developing dementia when compared with those who do not have the condition. Symptoms may be similar to Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s, as well as other conditions typically associated with aging.
Shunt Placement: Treatment for Hydrocephalus
Meningitis
The space outside the brain but beneath the skull is lined with membranes known as themeninges.Meningitisdevelops when this lining, along with cerebrospinal fluid, becomes infected and inflamed.
Bacterial meningitis can block the flow of CSF in the subarachnoid space and in the ventricles, ultimately resulting in hydrocephalus. Arachnoid granulations are things that absorb CSF back into the bloodstream.
Thesymptoms of meningitistend to come on very quickly and can include:
Testing for Meningitis
Ventriculitis
The choroid plexus in your ventricles contains a layer of tissue known as theependymallining. Ventriculitis occurs when this lining becomes inflamed due to meningitis, head trauma, or a complication ofbrain surgery.
Symptoms of ventriculitis mimic meningitis and can include:
Brain Hemorrhage
A stroke,ruptured aneurysm, or traumatic brain injury can cause bleeding in the subarachnoid space or ventricles. These injuries are known assubarachnoid hemorrhageor intraventricular hemorrhage, respectively.
Both types of brain hemorrhage can result in hydrocephalus asblood clotsform and block the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in and around the ventricles of the brain.
Symptoms of brain hemorrhage come on suddenly and can include:
Seeking Immediate Medical AttentionIf you suspect you have a brain hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, meningitis, or ventriculitis—all of which affect the ventricles—you need to get immediate medical attention. These conditions are imminently life-threatening.
Seeking Immediate Medical Attention
If you suspect you have a brain hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, meningitis, or ventriculitis—all of which affect the ventricles—you need to get immediate medical attention. These conditions are imminently life-threatening.
How Stroke Is Diagnosed
Diagnostic Tests
Hydrocephalus, meningitis, ventriculitis, and brain hemorrhage are diagnosed using one or more of the following:
Lumbar puncture (LP), also called a spinal tap, can be used to measure pressure within the spinal canal. It is also used to test cerebrospinal fluid for signs of infection, inflammation, or hemorrhage.
To perform a lumbar puncture, your doctor will numb your lower spine. A needle will then be inserted in the numbed area to measure cerebrospinal fluid pressure and collect a sample for testing.
A spinal tap is often quite important for diagnosing central nervous system diseases. For instance, in a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a CT may be normal, but the lumbar puncture will reveal if there is blood in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Tests for Brain Ventricle ConditionsImaging tests and lumbar puncture are used to diagnose injuries and diseases in the brain ventricles. A lumbar puncture will reveal if there is blood inside the spinal cord, which may point to a brain hemorrhage. It can also test for signs of infection.
Tests for Brain Ventricle Conditions
Imaging tests and lumbar puncture are used to diagnose injuries and diseases in the brain ventricles. A lumbar puncture will reveal if there is blood inside the spinal cord, which may point to a brain hemorrhage. It can also test for signs of infection.
How CSF Is Analyzed
Summary
Cerebrospinal fluid is produced in the lining of your brain’s ventricles. After it drains from these four chambers, CFS circulates in the canals that surround your brain and spinal cord, ensuring your central nervous system is nourished and protected.
Traumatic brain injury, bacterial meningitis, and brain hemorrhage can cause inflammation in and around your ventricles. As a result, the flow of cerebrospinal fluid can get blocked and cause the ventricles to swell in size.
Medical conditions that affect the ventricles are often life-threatening. It is vital that you get treatment immediately if you notice any related symptoms. Consider joining a support group if you or a loved one has experienced one of these conditions.
13 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.Pellegrini L, Bonfio C, Chadwick J, Begum F, Skehel M, Lancaster MA.Human CNS barrier-forming organoids with cerebrospinal fluid production.Science. 2020 Jul 10;369(6500):eaaz5626. doi:10.1126/science.aaz5626.Radiopaedia.Asymmetry of the lateral ventricles.Khasawneh AH, Garling RJ, Harris CA.Cerebrospinal fluid circulation: What do we know and how do we know it?Brain Circ. 2018;4(1):14-18. doi:10.4103/bc.bc_3_18Strittmatter WJ.Bathing the brain.J Clin Invest. 2013;123(3):1013-1015. doi:10.1172/JCI68241Tumani H, Huss A, Bachhuber F.The cerebrospinal fluid and barriers - anatomic and physiologic considerations.Handb Clin Neurol. 2017;146(1):21-32. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-804279-3.00002-2National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Hydrocephalus fact sheet.American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Adult-onset hydrocephalus.Jaraj D, Wikkelsø C, Rabiei K, Marlow T, Jensen C, Östling S,et al.Mortality and risk of dementia in normal-pressure hydrocephalus: A population study.Alzheimers Dement. 2017 Aug;13(8):850-857. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2017.01.013.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Meningitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial meningitis.Luque-Paz D, Revest M, Eugène F, et al.Ventriculitis: a severe complication of central nervous system infections.Open Forum Infect Dis. 2021;8(6):ofab216. doi:10.1093/ofid/ofab216D’Souza S.Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.J Neurosurg Anesthesiol. 2015;27(3):222-240. doi:10.1097/ANA.0000000000000130Johns Hopkins Medicine.Large volume lumbar puncture.
13 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.Pellegrini L, Bonfio C, Chadwick J, Begum F, Skehel M, Lancaster MA.Human CNS barrier-forming organoids with cerebrospinal fluid production.Science. 2020 Jul 10;369(6500):eaaz5626. doi:10.1126/science.aaz5626.Radiopaedia.Asymmetry of the lateral ventricles.Khasawneh AH, Garling RJ, Harris CA.Cerebrospinal fluid circulation: What do we know and how do we know it?Brain Circ. 2018;4(1):14-18. doi:10.4103/bc.bc_3_18Strittmatter WJ.Bathing the brain.J Clin Invest. 2013;123(3):1013-1015. doi:10.1172/JCI68241Tumani H, Huss A, Bachhuber F.The cerebrospinal fluid and barriers - anatomic and physiologic considerations.Handb Clin Neurol. 2017;146(1):21-32. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-804279-3.00002-2National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Hydrocephalus fact sheet.American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Adult-onset hydrocephalus.Jaraj D, Wikkelsø C, Rabiei K, Marlow T, Jensen C, Östling S,et al.Mortality and risk of dementia in normal-pressure hydrocephalus: A population study.Alzheimers Dement. 2017 Aug;13(8):850-857. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2017.01.013.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Meningitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial meningitis.Luque-Paz D, Revest M, Eugène F, et al.Ventriculitis: a severe complication of central nervous system infections.Open Forum Infect Dis. 2021;8(6):ofab216. doi:10.1093/ofid/ofab216D’Souza S.Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.J Neurosurg Anesthesiol. 2015;27(3):222-240. doi:10.1097/ANA.0000000000000130Johns Hopkins Medicine.Large volume lumbar puncture.
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.
Pellegrini L, Bonfio C, Chadwick J, Begum F, Skehel M, Lancaster MA.Human CNS barrier-forming organoids with cerebrospinal fluid production.Science. 2020 Jul 10;369(6500):eaaz5626. doi:10.1126/science.aaz5626.Radiopaedia.Asymmetry of the lateral ventricles.Khasawneh AH, Garling RJ, Harris CA.Cerebrospinal fluid circulation: What do we know and how do we know it?Brain Circ. 2018;4(1):14-18. doi:10.4103/bc.bc_3_18Strittmatter WJ.Bathing the brain.J Clin Invest. 2013;123(3):1013-1015. doi:10.1172/JCI68241Tumani H, Huss A, Bachhuber F.The cerebrospinal fluid and barriers - anatomic and physiologic considerations.Handb Clin Neurol. 2017;146(1):21-32. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-804279-3.00002-2National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Hydrocephalus fact sheet.American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Adult-onset hydrocephalus.Jaraj D, Wikkelsø C, Rabiei K, Marlow T, Jensen C, Östling S,et al.Mortality and risk of dementia in normal-pressure hydrocephalus: A population study.Alzheimers Dement. 2017 Aug;13(8):850-857. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2017.01.013.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Meningitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial meningitis.Luque-Paz D, Revest M, Eugène F, et al.Ventriculitis: a severe complication of central nervous system infections.Open Forum Infect Dis. 2021;8(6):ofab216. doi:10.1093/ofid/ofab216D’Souza S.Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.J Neurosurg Anesthesiol. 2015;27(3):222-240. doi:10.1097/ANA.0000000000000130Johns Hopkins Medicine.Large volume lumbar puncture.
Pellegrini L, Bonfio C, Chadwick J, Begum F, Skehel M, Lancaster MA.Human CNS barrier-forming organoids with cerebrospinal fluid production.Science. 2020 Jul 10;369(6500):eaaz5626. doi:10.1126/science.aaz5626.
Radiopaedia.Asymmetry of the lateral ventricles.
Khasawneh AH, Garling RJ, Harris CA.Cerebrospinal fluid circulation: What do we know and how do we know it?Brain Circ. 2018;4(1):14-18. doi:10.4103/bc.bc_3_18
Strittmatter WJ.Bathing the brain.J Clin Invest. 2013;123(3):1013-1015. doi:10.1172/JCI68241
Tumani H, Huss A, Bachhuber F.The cerebrospinal fluid and barriers - anatomic and physiologic considerations.Handb Clin Neurol. 2017;146(1):21-32. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-804279-3.00002-2
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Hydrocephalus fact sheet.
American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Adult-onset hydrocephalus.
Jaraj D, Wikkelsø C, Rabiei K, Marlow T, Jensen C, Östling S,et al.Mortality and risk of dementia in normal-pressure hydrocephalus: A population study.Alzheimers Dement. 2017 Aug;13(8):850-857. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2017.01.013.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Meningitis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial meningitis.
Luque-Paz D, Revest M, Eugène F, et al.Ventriculitis: a severe complication of central nervous system infections.Open Forum Infect Dis. 2021;8(6):ofab216. doi:10.1093/ofid/ofab216
D’Souza S.Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.J Neurosurg Anesthesiol. 2015;27(3):222-240. doi:10.1097/ANA.0000000000000130
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Large volume lumbar puncture.
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