The lateral ventricles are the largest CSF compartments in the brain, consisting of four parts in each hemisphere: the frontal (anterior) horn, the body, the occipital (posterior) horn, and the temporal (inferior) horn. The choroid plexus runs along the medial wall of the body and temporal horn, producing approximately 500 mL of CSF daily. The caudate nucleus forms the lateral floor of the body; the hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus form the medial floor of the temporal horn.
| Location | One in each cerebral hemisphere, curving from the frontal lobe back and down into the temporal lobe |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Connections |
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| Blood Supply | Anterior choroidal artery; Lateral posterior choroidal arteries |
The largest fluid chambers of the brain; their choroid plexus makes most of the cerebrospinal fluid. Their size on scans is a key sign of hydrocephalus or brain atrophy.
The lateral ventricles are the route for endoscopic neurosurgery (neuroendoscopy): transventricular endoscopic approaches access the third ventricle for colloid cyst removal, aqueductoplasty, and third ventriculostomy. Intraventricular tumours include choroid plexus papilloma and carcinoma (children), meningioma (posterior trigone, adults), and subependymoma (frontal horn). Ventriculomegaly from hydrocephalus dilates all lateral ventricle compartments, most prominently the temporal horns. The lateral ventricle temporal horn is the surgical target in temporal lobe epilepsy surgery where hippocampectomy is performed.
Choroid plexus papilloma arising from the lateral ventricle choroid plexus produces hydrocephalus from both CSF overproduction and mechanical obstruction of CSF pathways, presenting in infants with rapidly enlarging head circumference; MRI demonstrates an enhancing frond-like intraventricular mass and surgical resection is curative for the papilloma with shunt placement if hydrocephalus persists.
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