Lateral ventricle (source code)

= Lateral ventricle
{wiki}

A \b[lateral ventricle] is one of the two large <cerebrospinal fluid>-filled cavities within the <cerebral hemispheres>. Each connects with the <third ventricle> through an <interventricular foramen>. Its location inside a hemisphere makes it a useful landmark when interpreting sections or images of the <brain>.<Lateral Ventricles in MeSH>[Definition, paired cerebral cavities and communication with the third ventricle]{ref}

The <choroid plexus> projects into ventricular cavities and contributes to <cerebrospinal fluid> production; the <ependyma> lines the ventricular wall. The resulting environment joins a secretory interface, a fluid compartment and neighbouring <neural tissue>. These components have different roles even though they appear close together in an anatomical section.<Anatomy and Physiology 2e by J. Gordon Betts and others>[§12.2, ependymal cells; §13.3, cerebrospinal fluid and choroid plexuses]{ref}

The connections below provide a simplified route through the <ventricular system>. Actual transport also has a time dependence: <phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging> has resolved <cerebrospinal fluid> movement over the <cardiac cycle>, while work on the <third ventricle> has revealed structured local flows driven by <motile cilia>.<Normal flow patterns of intracranial and spinal cerebrospinal fluid defined with phase-contrast cine MR imaging by D. R. Enzmann and others>[abstract, cardiac-cycle-dependent flow encoding]{ref}<Cilia-based flow network in the brain ventricles by Regina Faubel and others>[abstract, ciliary modules and ventricular flow networks]{ref}

\Image[/ventricular-system-connections.png]
{title=Anatomical connections of the <ventricular system>}
{description=Original schematic showing paired <lateral ventricles>, the <interventricular foramina>, <third ventricle>, <cerebral aqueduct>, <fourth ventricle> and <subarachnoid spaces>. Arrows follow the conventional passage sequence; <cerebrospinal fluid> also undergoes pulsatile movement and local recirculation.<Neuroscience, 2nd edition edited by D. Purves and others>[The Ventricular System, Figure 1.17, anatomical connections]{ref}}