The ventricular system is embryologically derived from the neural canal, forming early in the development of

the neural tube. The 3 brain vesicles (prosencephalon or forebrain, mesencephalon or midbrain, and
rhombencephalon or hindbrain) form around the end of the first gestational month. The neural canal dilates
within the prosencephalon, leading to the formation of the lateral ventricles and third ventricle. The cavity of
the mesencephalon forms the cerebral aqueduct. The dilation of the neural canal within the
rhombencephalon forms the fourth ventricle.

The lateral ventricles communicate with the third ventricle through interventricular foramens, and the third
ventricle communicates with the fourth ventricle through the cerebral aqueduct (see the image below).
[1] 
During early development, the septum pellucidum is formed by the thinned walls of the 2 cerebral
hemispheres and contains a fluid-filled cavity, named the cavum, which may persist.

The ventricular system of the human brain.

Lateral ventricles
The largest cavities of the ventricular system are the lateral ventricles. Each lateral ventricle is divided into a
central portion, formed by the body and atrium (or trigone), and 3 lateral extensions or horns of the
ventricles.[1, 2] The central portion or the body of the ventricle is located within the parietal lobe. The roof is
formed by the corpus callosum, and the posterior portion of the septum pellucidum lies medially. The
anterior part of the body of the fornix, the choroid plexus, lateral dorsal surface of the thalamus, stria
terminalis, and caudate nucleus, form the floor of the lateral ventricle. [2] See the following image.
 Ventricles and the borders of major adjacent anatomy.
The interventricular foramen is located between the thalamus and anterior pillar of the fornix, at the anterior
margin of the body. The 2 interventricular foramens (or foramina of Monro) connect the lateral ventricles
with the third ventricle. The body of the lateral ventricle is connected with the occipital and temporal horns
by a wide area named the atrium.[1, 2]

The anterior or frontal horn is located anterior to the interventricular foramen. The floor and the lateral wall
are formed by the head of the caudate nucleus, the corpus callosum constitutes the roof and anterior
border, and the septum pellucidum delineates the medial wall.[2] The posterior or occipital horn is located
within the occipital lobe. The fibers of the corpus callosum and the splenium form the roof. The forceps
major is located on the medial side and forms the bulb of the occipital horn. [1, 2]

The inferior or temporal horn is located within the temporal lobe. The roof is formed by the fibers of the
temporal lobe; the medial border contains the stria terminalis and tail of the caudate. The medial wall and
the floor are formed by the hippocampus and its associated structures. The amygdaloid complex is located
at the anterior end of the inferior horn.[1, 2]

Capillaries of the choroid arteries from the pia mater project into the ventricular cavity, forming the choroid
plexus of the lateral ventricle (see the image below). The choroid plexus is attached to the adjacent brain
structures by a double layer of pia mater called the tela choroidea. The choroid plexus extends from the
lateral ventricle into the inferior horn. The anterior and posterior horn have no choroid plexus.
 Meninges and ventricles of the brain.
The choroid plexus of the lateral ventricle is connected with the choroid plexus of the contralateral ventricle
and the third ventricle through the interventricular foramen. The anterior choroidal arteries (branch of
internal carotid artery) and lateral posterior choroidal arteries (branch of the posterior cerebral artery) form
the choroid plexus. Venous supply from the choroidal veins drain into the cerebral veins. [2]

Third ventricle
The third ventricle is the narrow vertical cavity of the diencephalon. A thin tela choroidea supplied by the
medial posterior choroidal arteries (branch of posterior cerebral artery) is formed in the roof of the third
ventricle. The fornix and the corpus callosum are located superiorly. The lateral walls are formed by the
medial thalamus and hypothalamus. The anterior commissure, the lamina terminalis, and the optic chiasm
delineate the anterior wall. The floor of the third ventricle is formed by the infundibulum, which attaches the
hypophysis, the tuber cinereum, the mammillary bodies, and the upper end of the midbrain. The posterior
wall is formed by the pineal gland and habenular commissure. The interthalamic adhesions are bands of
gray matter with unknown functional significance, which cross the cavity of the ventricle and attach to the
external walls.[1, 2]

Fourth ventricle
The fourth ventricle is connected to the third ventricle by a narrow cerebral aqueduct. The fourth ventricle is
a diamond-shaped cavity located posterior to the pons and upper medulla oblongata and anterior-inferior to
the cerebellum. The superior cerebellar peduncles and the anterior and posterior medullary vela form the
roof of the fourth ventricle. The apex or fastigium is the extension of the ventricle up into the cerebellum.
The floor of the fourth ventricle is named the rhomboid fossa. The lateral recess is an extension of the
ventricle on the dorsal inferior cerebellar peduncle.

Inferiorly, it extends into the central canal of medulla. The fourth ventricle communicates with the
subarachnoid space through the lateral foramen of Luschka, located near the flocculus of the cerebellum,
and through the median foramen of Magendie, located in the roof of the ventricle. Most of the CSF outflow
passes through the medial foramen. The cerebral aqueduct contains no choroid plexus. The tela choroidea
of the fourth ventricle, which is supplied by branches of the posterior inferior cerebellar arteries, is located in
the posterior medullary velum.[1, 2]

Cerebrospinal fluid
CSF is a clear, watery fluid that fills the ventricles of the brain and the subarachnoid space around the brain
and spinal cord. CSF is produced primarily by the choroid plexus of the ventricles (up to 70% of the
volume), most of it being formed by the choroid plexus of the lateral ventricles. The rest of the CSF
production is the result of transependymal flow from the brain to the ventricles. [3]

CSF flows from the lateral ventricles, through the interventricular foramens, and into the third ventricle,
cerebral aqueduct, and the fourth ventricle. Only a very small amount enters the central canal of the spinal
cord. CSF flow is the result of a combination of factors, which include the hydrostatic pressure generated
during CSF production (known as bulk flow), arterial pulsations of the large arteries, and directional beating
of the ependymal cilia. Hydrostatic pressure has a predominant role in the CSF flow within the larger
ventricles, whereas cilia favor the movement of the CSF in the narrow regions of the ventricular system,
such as the cerebral aqueduct. Immotile cilia syndrome is a rare cause of hydrocephalus in children. [4]

The ventricles constitute the internal part of a communicating system containing CSF. The external part of
the system is formed by the subarachnoid space and cisterns. The communication between the 2 parts
occurs at the level of fourth ventricle through the median foramen of Magendie (into the cistern magna) and
the 2 lateral foramina of Luschka (into the spaces around the brainstem cerebellopontine angles and
prepontine cisterns). The CSF is absorbed from the subarachnoid space into the venous blood (of the
sinuses or veins) by the small arachnoid villi, which are clusters of cells projecting from subarachnoid space
into a venous sinus, and the larger arachnoid granulations. [4, 5]

The total CSF volume contained within the communicating system in adults is approximately 150 mL, with
approximately 25% filling the ventricular system. CSF is produced at a rate of approximately 20 mL/h, and
an estimated 400-500 mL of CSF is produced and absorbed daily.

CSF absorption capacity is normally approximately 2-4 times the rate of production. The normal CSF
pressure is between 5-15 mm Hg (65-195 mm H2 O) in adults. In children younger than 6 years, normal
CSF pressure ranges between 10-100 mm H2 O.[4, 5]

CSF plays an important role in supporting the brain growth during evolution, protecting against external
trauma, removal of metabolites produced by neuronal and glial cell activity, and transport of biologically
active substances (like hormones and neuropeptides) throughout the brain.