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.
Illustration by Mira Norian for Verywell Health
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
One such waste productthe amyloid A-b peptideincreases the risk ofAlzheimer’s diseaseif too much accumulates in the brain.
The following ventricle-related conditions are life-threatening.
As a result, the pressure within the skull increases and the ventricles enlarge.
Hydrocephalus can bepresent at birth dueto a genetic or developmental abnormality.
Symptoms of hydrocephalus vary slightly among age groups.
Arachnoid granulations are things that absorb CSF back into the bloodstream.
Ventriculitis triggers when this lining becomes inflamed due to meningitis, head trauma, or a complication ofbrain surgery.
These injuries are known assubarachnoid hemorrhageor intraventricular hemorrhage, respectively.
These conditions are imminently life-threatening.
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 spinal tap is often quite important for diagnosing central nervous system diseases.
It can also test for signs of infection.
Summary
Cerebrospinal fluid is produced in the lining of your brain’s ventricles.
Traumatic brain injury, bacterial meningitis, and brain hemorrhage can cause inflammation in and around your ventricles.
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.
2020 Jul 10;369(6500):eaaz5626.
Radiopaedia.Asymmetry of the lateral ventricles.
2018;4(1):14-18. doi:10.4103/bc.bc_3_18
Strittmatter WJ.Bathing the brain.J Clin Invest.
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.
2017 Aug;13(8):850-857. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2017.01.013.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial meningitis.
2021;8(6):ofab216.
doi:10.1093/ofid/ofab216
DSouza S.Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.J Neurosurg Anesthesiol.
2015;27(3):222-240. doi:10.1097/ANA.0000000000000130
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Large volume lumbar puncture.
