Editing Ventricular system (section)

{{Short description|Structures containing cerebrospinal fluid}}
{{Infobox brain
| Name            = Ventricular system
| Latin           = ventriculi cerebri
| Image           = Brain-ventricle-anatomy-diagram.jpg
| Caption         = Ventricular system anatomy
| Image2          = Human ventricular system - animation.gif
| Caption2        = Rotating 3D rendering of the four ventricles and connections
| IsPartOf        =
| Components      =
| Artery          =
| Vein            =
}}

In [[neuroanatomy]], the '''ventricular system''' is a set of four interconnected cavities known as '''cerebral ventricles''' in the [[brain]].<ref name="Grow 2018 pp. 72–90.e1">{{cite book | last=Grow | first=W.A. | title=Fundamental Neuroscience for Basic and Clinical Applications | chapter=Development of the Nervous System | publisher=Elsevier | year=2018 | isbn=978-0-323-39632-5 | doi=10.1016/b978-0-323-39632-5.00005-0 | pages=72–90.e1 | quote=The ventricular system is an elaboration of the lumen of cephalic portions of the neural tube, and its development parallels that of the brain.}}</ref><ref name="Shoykhet Clark 2011 pp. 783–804">{{cite book | last1=Shoykhet | first1=Mish | last2=Clark | first2=Robert S.B. | title=Pediatric Critical Care | chapter=Structure, Function, and Development of the Nervous System | publisher=Elsevier | year=2011 | isbn=978-0-323-07307-3 | doi=10.1016/b978-0-323-07307-3.10057-6 | pages=783–804 | quote=The ventricles contain the choroid plexus, which produces CSF, and serve as conduits for CSF flow in the CNS. Ventricular walls are lined with ependymal cells, which are connected by tight junctions and constitute a CSF-brain barrier.}}</ref> Within each ventricle is a region of [[choroid plexus]] which produces the circulating [[cerebrospinal fluid]] (CSF). The ventricular system is continuous with the [[central canal]] of the [[spinal cord]] from the fourth ventricle,<ref name="Shoykhet Clark 2011 pp. 783–804 II">{{cite book | last1=Shoykhet | first1=Mish | last2=Clark | first2=Robert S.B. | title=Pediatric Critical Care | chapter=Structure, Function, and Development of the Nervous System | publisher=Elsevier | year=2011 | isbn=978-0-323-07307-3 | doi=10.1016/b978-0-323-07307-3.10057-6 | pages=783–804 | quote=The ventricular system arises from the hollow space within the developing neural tube and gives rise to cisterns within the CNS, from the brain to the spinal cord. }}</ref> allowing for the flow of CSF to circulate.<ref name="Shoykhet Clark 2011 pp. 783–804 II"/><ref name="Vernau Vernau Sue Bailey 2008 pp. 769–819">{{cite book | last1=Vernau | first1=William | last2=Vernau | first2=Karen A. | last3=Sue Bailey | first3=Cleta | title=Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals | chapter=Cerebrospinal Fluid | publisher=Elsevier | year=2008 | isbn=978-0-12-370491-7 | doi=10.1016/b978-0-12-370491-7.00026-x | pages=769–819 | s2cid=71013935 | quote=Cerebrospinal fluid flows in bulk from sites of production to sites of absorption. Fluid formed in the lateral ventricles flows through the paired interventricular foramina (foramen of Monro) into the third ventricle, then through the mesencephalic aqueduct (aqueduct of Sylvius) into the fourth ventricle. The majority of CSF exits from the fourth ventricle into the subarachnoid space; a small amount may enter the central canal of the spinal cord. }}</ref>

All of the ventricular system and the central canal of the spinal cord are lined with [[ependyma]], a specialised form of [[epithelium]] connected by [[tight junction]]s that make up the [[Choroid plexus#Blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier|blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier]].<ref name="Shoykhet Clark 2011 pp. 783–804"/>