Body of lateral ventricle

Body of lateral ventricle

The body of lateral ventricle is a component of the ventricular system in the human brain. It is one of the four interconnected cavities where the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced. The body of the lateral ventricle is located in both cerebral hemispheres, extending from the interventricular foramen (also known as the foramen of Monro) to the occipital horn and the temporal horn.

Structure

The body of the lateral ventricle is the central portion of the lateral ventricle, situated within the parietal lobe of the brain. It is bounded by several structures, including the corpus callosum superiorly, the caudate nucleus and thalamus inferiorly, and the septum pellucidum medially. The body of the lateral ventricle communicates anteriorly with the lateral ventricle through the interventricular foramen.

Function

The primary function of the body of the lateral ventricle, like the rest of the ventricular system, is the production and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid serves several crucial roles in the central nervous system, including the provision of buoyancy to the brain, protection against injury, and the removal of waste products.

Clinical significance

Abnormalities in the size or shape of the body of the lateral ventricle can be indicative of various neurological conditions. For instance, enlargement of the lateral ventricles (ventriculomegaly) can be a sign of hydrocephalus, a condition characterized by an excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Conversely, a reduction in the size of the lateral ventricles may be associated with conditions such as brain atrophy.

See also

• Cerebral ventricles
• Cerebrospinal fluid
• Hydrocephalus
• Brain atrophy