The Lateral Ventricles: A Detailed Review of Anatomy, Development, and Anatomic Variations

Abstract

The cerebral ventricles have been studied since the fourth century BC and were originally thought to harbor the soul and higher executive functions. During the infancy of neuroradiology, alterations to the ventricular shape and position on pneumoencephalography and ventriculography were signs of mass effect or volume loss. However, in the current era of high-resolution cross-sectional imaging, variation in ventricular anatomy is more easily detectable and its clinical significance is still being investigated. Interpreting radiologists must be aware of anatomic variations of the ventricular system to prevent mistaking normal variants for pathology. We will review of the anatomy and development of the lateral ventricles and discuss several ventricular variations.

Structural brain anomalies in Cri-du-Chat syndrome: MRI findings in 14 patients and possible genotype-phenotype correlations

“…Data emerging from our analysis allowed us to expand and to specify the neuroradiological phenotype of CdCS, confirming the presence, in the enrolled subjects, of the anomalies already described (hypoplasia of the brainstem and in particular of the pons, hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis, increase of the basal angle and widening of the cavum sellae, dysmorphism or agenesis of the corpus callosum, dysmorphisms of the ventricles [38], and alterations of the white matter) [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Our data identified other features, such as polymicrogyria [reported only by Dmetrichuk et al,20] and hypoplasia of the optical nerves, which has never been reported.…”

Multi-Systemic Alterations by Chronic Exposure to a Low Dose of Bisphenol A in Drinking Water: Effects on Inflammation and NAD+-Dependent Deacetylase Sirtuin1 in Lactating and Weaned Rats

“…Finally, CSF regulates intracranial pressure, playing an important role in volume transmission within the developing and adult brain [ 54 ]. Dysfunctions in the CSF circulation and in the size of cerebral ventricles are known to be linked to various pathologies such as hydrocephalus, encephalopathy, degenerative disease, and so on [ 57 ]. The significance of such a variation is still controversial, but some Authors have suggested that changes in the size and morphology of lateral ventricles may be related to subcortical white and/or grey matter alterations [ 57 , 58 ].…”

Acquired hydrocephalus is associated with neuroinflammation, progenitor loss, and cellular changes in the subventricular zone and periventricular white matter

“…The ventricles were segmented, and the volume was calculated in mm 3 using the volumes and statistics tool of the software. Lateral ventricles were divided into the four main regions as described in Scelsi et al [ 51 ]: (1) the frontal horn, from the anterior wall to the foramen of Monro; (2) the body, from the foramen of Monro to the point where the septum pellucidum ends and the corpus callosum and fornix meet (hippocampal commissure); (3) the atrium, a triangular cavity that opens anteriorly into the body and basely into the temporal horn; and (4) temporal horn, that extends anteriorly from the atrium below the thalamus and terminates at the amygdala.…”