Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
ventricle
References
Images
Labeled anatomical diagram of the human brain in sagittal section, medial view, showing internal structures such as the corpus callosum, cerebellum, ventricles, brainstem, and other key regions.
Britannica AI Icon

ventricle

brain
Written by
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  Encyclopædia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them.
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last updated

Quick Summary

Labeled anatomical diagram of the human brain in sagittal section, medial view, showing internal structures such as the corpus callosum, cerebellum, ventricles, brainstem, and other key regions.
left cerebral hemisphere of the human brain Medial view of the left hemisphere of the human brain.

The ventricles are cavities within the brain that are filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This fluid circulates through the brain and spinal cord, providing a protective cushion and aiding in the removal of waste products.12

The ventricular system includes a pair of lateral ventricles, a third ventricle, and a fourth ventricle. Most of the CSF is produced by the choroid plexus, a network of blood vessels located in the walls of the lateral ventricles.13

An accumulation of CSF within the ventricles can lead to a condition called hydrocephalus, which causes increased pressure within the skull and can lead to brain damage if not treated. This blockage can occur within the ventricles or outside of them.45

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
6 Britannica Sources
  1. human nervous system - Cerebral ventricles
  2. hydrocephalus
  3. cerebrospinal fluid
  4. ependymal cell
  5. nervous system disease - Raised or decreased intracranial pressure
  6. nervous system disease - Benign tumours

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.