Body of the lateral ventricle

Body of the Lateral Ventricle

The Body of the Lateral Ventricle is a significant component of the ventricular system in the human brain. It is one of the four interconnected cavities where the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced.

Anatomy

The body of the lateral ventricle is the central portion of the lateral ventricles, which are the largest of the brain's ventricles. It is located within the parietal lobe and the frontal lobe, extending from the interventricular foramen (also known as the foramen of Monro) to the occipital horn of the lateral ventricle.

The lateral ventricles are C-shaped structures that follow a curved path through the cerebral hemispheres. The body of the lateral ventricle is the long, central portion of this path. It is bounded superiorly by the corpus callosum, the thick band of nerve fibers that connects the two cerebral hemispheres.

Function

The primary function of the body of the lateral ventricle, like the rest of the ventricular system, is to produce and circulate cerebrospinal fluid. This clear, colorless fluid provides cushioning for the brain, helps to deliver nutrients to brain tissue, and removes waste products.

The body of the lateral ventricle contains a network of tiny, blood vessel-filled protrusions called choroid plexus. These structures are responsible for producing the cerebrospinal fluid.

Clinical Significance

Changes in the size or shape of the body of the lateral ventricle can be indicative of various neurological conditions. For example, enlargement of the lateral ventricles (ventriculomegaly) can occur as a result of conditions such as hydrocephalus, where there is an excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.

See Also

• Cerebral ventricles
• Cerebrospinal fluid
• Hydrocephalus