Ventricles

Ventricles of the Brain – Concepts

Ashley Davidoff MD

The Common Vein Copyright 2010

Introduction – Sagittal Projection

The ventricular system can be conceptualized as paired structures running horizontally and superiorly connecting with  a vertical component.

The Sagital Vectors

The axis of the brain in the sagittal view consists of an anteroposterior or relatively horozontal vector and a relatively vertical, craniocaudal vector. The ventricular system folows these vectors and consists of a paired horizontal system and a single vertical system

Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD copyright 2010 all rights reserved 94458b02b01.8s

The vectors of the ventricular System Overlaid on the Brain

The ventricular system is overlaid on a drawing of the brain. Each limb of the horizantal component is situated in a cerebral hemisphere The vertical limb includes the third and fourth ventricles

Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD copyright 2010 all rights reserved  94458e07.8s

Transverse or Axial View

The Transverse Plane

The axis of the brain in the sagittal view consists of an anteroposterior or relatively horozontal vector and a relatively vertical, craniocaudal vector. The ventricular system folows these vectors and consists of a paired horizontal system and a single vertical system

Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD copyright 2010 all rights reserved  94458d02.8s

Axial T2 weighted Image

The horizontal limbsreviewed in the sagittal section are reflected as two parallelvectors that include parrt of the frontal horns and occipital components, while the teal green limb in the middle represents the conglomerate vertical limb that includes the third ventricle, the aqueduct of Sylvius and the fourth ventricle.

Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD copyright 2010 all rights reserved 94458e08a.8s

Coronal View

The Coronal View of the Ventricular System

The distribution of the ventricular system is demonstrated in this diagram with the horizontall oriented components in teal, and the vertically oriented components in light green. They are both centered around the midlinewith all the components of the vertcial system being exactly in midline and all the components of the horizontal system connected and confluent in the midline. The horizontal structures include the lateral ventricles, frontal horns, atria,and temporal horns. The vertical midline structures include the third ventricle, aqueduct of Sylvius, and 4th ventricle.

Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD copyright 2010 all rights reserved 93914b04d06b.81s

 

Coronal T2 Weighted Image

The “X” of the horizontal limb represents the ventricular system that subtends the frontal horns (upper V) and the temporal horns( lower invetred V). These will not be seen on the same cut since the frontal horns are anterior and the temporal horns are more posterior. The most superior and widened portion of the vertical limb (darker green) represents the third ventricle Inferior to the third ventricle along the vertical limb is the aqueduct of Sylvius and 4th ventricle

Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD copyright 2010 all rights reserved MRI from 99721 series 94458e10.81s