Lateral ventricles of the brain in a 2 month old child. Physiological role and most common diseases of the third ventricle of the brain

Ultrasonography allows you to study the work and structure internal organs. By reflecting the waves, the finished data is sent to the monitor. Ultrasound of the brain in infants is a mandatory preventive examination procedure. Thanks to the data obtained, it is possible to judge the structure of the brain and its functioning. vascular system. The examination is carried out quickly and painlessly and does not pose any danger to the child..

NSG (neurosonography) allows you to determine disturbances in the functioning and structure of all brain structures, as well as evaluate the functioning of the central nervous system.

NSG is carried out through the fontanel, which is located between the unfused bones of the skull. Thanks to this, the result will be accurate and correct. The fontanel is soft to the touch, pulsation is palpable. Normally it should be at the level of the surface of the head. Swelling indicates health problems.

The NSG procedure does not require additional training– it is enough to free the child’s head from the cap. The result is not affected in any way by the child’s condition, even if he cries, is capricious, or calmly examines the situation. The procedure is also carried out when the child is sleeping.

What is the reason for this study?

Ultrasound is a mandatory scheduled procedure every month. In other cases, indications for conducting the NSG before the first month of life the following cases occur:

NSG is mandatory in one month in the following cases:

• children who were born by caesarean section;
• irregular head shape;
• conduct research to monitor the condition;
• with developmental disorders such as torticollis, strabismus, paralysis;

For children older than one month, NSG is performed for the following indications:

• evaluate the effectiveness of treatment for injuries or neurological diseases brain;
• after infectious diseases (encephalitis, meningitis);
• genetic and gene disorders;
• head injury.

In some cases, an MRI of the brain is indicated, which is performed under anesthesia.

Interpretation of the results obtained during the survey

The results will depend on many factors - due date, birth weight. Normal for all children different months life consists of the following parameters.

1. All parts of the brain should be symmetrical in size and homogeneous in composition.
2. The furrows and convolutions have clear contours.
3. There is no fluid in the interhemispheric fissure, and its dimensions do not exceed 3 mm.
4. The choroid plexuses of the ventricles are hyperechoic and homogeneous.
5. The normal size of the lateral ventricles is: anterior horns - up to 4 mm, occipital horns - 15 mm, body - up to 4 mm. The third and fourth ventricle – up to 4 mm.
6. The norm for a large tank is up to 10 mm.
7. There should be no seals, cysts or neoplasms.
8. The membranes of the brain are unchanged.
9. The normal size of the subarachnoid space does not exceed 3 mm. If it is greater, and an increase in temperature and frequent regurgitation are observed, then a disease such as meningitis can be suspected. If there are no accompanying symptoms, all other examinations are normal, perhaps this phenomenon is temporary.

The ventricular cavity should not be enlarged. Their increase indicates diseases such as hydrocephalus and rickets. During hydrocephalus, the child has a large head and swollen fontanel. This disorder causes frequent headaches, mental and physical underdevelopment.

The contents of the lateral ventricles (right and left) is cerebrospinal fluid. With the help of special holes they are connected to the third ventricle. There is also a fourth ventricle, which is located between the cerebellum and the medulla oblongata.

In the lateral ventricles, the cerebrospinal fluid joins, after which it moves into the subarachnoid space. If such an outflow is disrupted for some reason, hydrocephalus occurs.

Asymmetry of the lateral ventricles (dilatation) is observed when the amount of fluid increases. The disease can be diagnosed in children who are born ahead of schedule, since their lateral ventricles are larger.

If asymmetry of the lateral ventricles is detected on the NSG, the size is measured and the quantitative and qualitative characteristics are determined.

The main reasons due to which the ventricular cavity expands include hydrocephalus, trauma to the skull and brain, damage to the central nervous system and other malformations of newborns.

A septum pellucida cyst is usually detected at birth. The transparent septum is a thin plate consisting of brain tissue. Between these plates there is a cavity resembling a gap. A septum pellucida cyst is a cavity filled with fluid. The cavity accumulates and begins to compress neighboring tissues and vessels.

A cyst of the septum pellucidum is detected on NSG in almost all premature infants. After some time it may disappear. If a septum pellucida cyst was detected immediately after birth, then in most cases a special drug therapy not prescribed.

In the event that a cyst of the transparent septum occurs due to injury, inflammation or infectious disease, immediate treatment is required. May occur associated symptoms(head pain, visual and hearing impairment).

During NSG, which is carried out every month after detection of a disorder, the dynamics of the development and growth of the cyst of the transparent septum are determined. Depending on the growth rate and the cause of the cyst, it will depend further treatment. Basically, drugs are prescribed that free up this brain cavity.

If any violations were discovered during the NSG, a decision may be made to medically disqualify all vaccinations. Vaccinations can worsen the condition, so after the examination you should visit a neurologist.

A neurologist interprets and clarifies the diagnosis. Only he can prescribe the correct treatment and observe the development of the disease over time. He will also warn possible complications and will prevent other violations.

In the first days of a newborn's life, they take various tests, vaccinations are given, and examinations are also carried out in order to obtain complete information about the general condition of the child. One of the main procedures is ultrasound of the brain. It allows you to find out not only about any abnormalities and the degree of development of the brain, but also to check the overall dimensions of the ventricles of the brain in a newborn, the norm of which is a certain value. Examination of a baby is an important stage in his life, since disorders and pathologies that are not immediately identified can negatively affect later life and infant development.

What to do if suddenly an ultrasound showed an enlargement of the ventricles of the brain in a newborn? If in newborns with enlarged ventricles of the brain normal condition and there are no serious neuropathological abnormalities, then the specialist can schedule regular visits to a neurologist to monitor and monitor the condition. But if the deviations from the norm are quite serious, and the neuropathological symptoms are pronounced, then the child needs special treatment, which is prescribed by a neurologist.

On this moment There are many factors known that influence the appearance of pathologies of the ventricles of the brain in children. All of them can be divided into two categories: acquired and congenital. Acquired causes include those reasons that could arise during the pregnancy of the child’s mother:

1. Infectious diseases that a woman suffers from during pregnancy.
2. Infections and sepsis inside the womb.
3. Penetration foreign bodies into the brain.
4. Chronic diseases of the mother that affect the normal course of pregnancy.
5. Delivery ahead of schedule.
6. Hypoxia of the fetus inside the womb (insufficient or, conversely, increased blood supply to the placenta).
7. Abnormal duration of the dry period.
8. Injury to the baby during childbirth (suffocation by the umbilical cord or deformation of the skull).
9. Stormy birth.

Congenital causes include a genetic predisposition to enlarged ventricles; abnormalities occurring in chromosomes, as well as various neoplasms (cysts, malignant or benign tumors, hematomas). Along with the listed reasons, characteristic changes in the size of the ventricles of the brain can be provoked by traumatic brain injury, cerebral hemorrhage, or stroke.

Anatomy of the ventricles of the brain

The human brain is very complex structure, in which each substructure and each component is responsible for achieving certain goals. In humans, there is a special structure in the brain that contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The purpose of this structure is the circulation and production of cerebrospinal fluid. Each child and adult has 3 types of brain ventricles, and their total number is 4. They are connected to each other through channels and openings, valves. So, the ventricles are distinguished:

1. Lateral.
2. Third.
3. Fourth.

Lateral ventricles located symmetrically relative to each other. The left is designated first, the right is designated second, they are connected to the third. The third ventricle is the anterior one and houses the centers of the autonomic nervous system. The fourth is the posterior one, it is shaped like a pyramid and is connected to the spinal cord. Changes in the size of the ventricles entail a disorder in the production and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid, which can lead to an increase in the volume of fluid in the spinal cord and disruption of the working state of vital functions. important body.

Enlarged ventricles: manifestation

As is known, one of the functions of the ventricles is the secretion of cerebrospinal fluid into the cavity between the meninges and spinal membranes (subarachnoid space). Therefore, disturbances in the secretion and outflow of fluid lead to an increase in the volume of the ventricles.

But not every increase and change in size is considered a pathology. If both lateral ventricles become symmetrically larger, then there is no need to worry. If the increase occurs asymmetrically, that is, the horn of one of the lateral ventricles increases, but the horn of the other does not, then pathological development is detected.

Enlargement of the head ventricles is called ventriculomegaly. It exists in 3 types:

1. Lateral (dilatation of the right or left ventricles, enlargement of the posterior ventricle).
2. Cerebellar (the size of the cerebellum and medulla oblongata changes).
3. Pathological release of cerebrospinal fluid in the frontal region.

There are 3 degrees of the disease:

1. Easy.
2. Average.
3. Heavy.

Sometimes the disease is accompanied by disruption of the central nervous system. Normal occurrence considered to be enlarged ventricles in large children with a non-standard skull shape.

Interpretation of the appearance of dilated ventricles

Deviation from normal sizes ventricles does not always indicate leakage pathological processes. Most often, these changes are a consequence of the anthropological characteristics of the baby. Almost all newborns up to one year of age have ventriculomegaly. It appears as a result of impaired fluid outflow or excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid.

According to statistics, enlargement of the lateral ventricles is more common in children born prematurely. In them, unlike babies born at the right time, the sizes of the first and second cavities are more enlarged. If there is a suspicion of asymmetry, measurements, diagnostics and qualitative characteristics should be determined.

Symptoms of venticulomegaly

With venticulomegaly due to large quantity cerebrospinal fluid increases the pressure inside the baby’s skull; swelling of the cortex appears, gray matter, fabrics. The pressure disrupts the blood supply to the brain, and deterioration and disruption of the central nervous system are also observed.

The following symptoms are observed with enlarged ventricles:

• Increased muscle activity.
• Deterioration of vision (defocus, squint, downcast gaze).
• Trembling of limbs.
• Strange gait (movement on tiptoes).
• Inactive reflexive manifestations.
• Lethargic, apathetic behavior.
• Increased moodiness and irritability.
• Insomnia, sleepwalking.
• Lack of appetite.

An obvious symptom of venticulomegaly is regurgitation and vomiting, the amount of which exceeds the norm. This occurs due to irritation of the vomiting center in the fourth ventricle, which is located at the bottom of the diamond-shaped fossa.

Diagnosis of the disease

Diagnostics are carried out to clarify the diagnosis. The doctor may notice chronic form venticulomegaly as early as three months of age using ultrasound. The examination includes the following procedures:

• Examination by an ophthalmologist (this will reveal swelling of the eyes and hydrocephalus).
• Magnetic resonance imaging (the MRI procedure helps monitor the growth of the ventricles after the fusion of the cranial bone. To carry out the examination, which takes from 20 to 40 minutes, the baby is put to sleep with the help of drugs).
• CT scan. In this case it is not required medicated sleep, because the procedure does not take much time. So CT the best option for children who cannot tolerate anesthesia.

Ultrasound is prescribed for children born after a pregnancy during which there were complications. It is done in the first year of life, and if there are no neurological abnormalities, then it is repeated after three months.

Indicators of normal sizes

Each ventricle has certain sizes that are considered normal. Deviation from them is a pathology. So, the normal depth of the third ventricle is no more than 5 mm, the fourth ventricle is no more than 4 mm. When taking side measurements, the following values ​​are taken into account:

• Side cavities - depth should not exceed 4 mm.
• Horns in the back of the head – 10 – 15 mm.
• The horns in the front part are 2–4 mm.

The depth of a large tank is no more than 3–6 mm. All cavities and structures of the brain must have a gradual development, consistent and linearly dependent on the size of the skull.

Treatment of the disease

Treatment can only be prescribed by a neurosurgeon or neurologist. Commonly used drug therapy. Not all episodes require treatment, but it is used in cases of pronounced neuropathological abnormalities. The main medications are:

• Diuretics are used to reduce cerebral edema, normalize and accelerate fluid excretion.
• Potassium-containing preparations compensate for the deficiency of the required amount of potassium while accelerating the process of urination.
• Vitamin complexes are used to replenish lost vitamins, as well as to restore the patient’s body.
• Nootropics improve blood supply to the brain, circulation in microtissues and vascular elasticity.
• Sedatives have a calming effect and reduce neurological signs such as tearfulness, moodiness, and irritability.

If the cause of deviations in the size of the brain cavities is mechanical damage head, then surgery is required.

Quite often, after birth, babies have enlarged ventricles of the brain. This condition does not always mean the presence of a disease that necessarily requires treatment.

Ventricular system of the brain

The ventricles of the brain are several interconnected collectors in which the formation and distribution of liquor fluid occurs. Liquor washes the brain and spinal cord. Normally, there is always a certain amount of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles.

Two large liquor collectors are located on both sides corpus callosum. Both ventricles are connected to each other. On the left side is the first ventricle, and on the right is the second. They consist of horns and a body. The lateral ventricles are connected through a system of small holes to the 3rd ventricle.

In the distal part of the brain, between the cerebellum and the medulla oblongata, there is the 4th ventricle. It is quite large in size. The fourth ventricle has diamond shape. At the very bottom there is a hole called the diamond-shaped fossa.

Proper work The ventricles ensure the penetration of cerebrospinal fluid into the subarachnoid space when necessary. This zone is located between the dura mater and the arachnoid membrane of the brain. This ability allows you to maintain the required volume of cerebrospinal fluid in various pathological conditions.

In newborn babies, dilatation of the lateral ventricles is often observed. In this condition, the horns of the ventricles are enlarged, and increased accumulation of fluid in the area of ​​their bodies may also be observed. This condition often causes both left and right ventricle enlargement. At differential diagnosis asymmetry in the area of ​​the main brain collectors is excluded.

The size of the ventricles is normal

In infants, the ventricles are often dilated. This condition does not at all mean that the child is seriously ill. The dimensions of each ventricle have specific values. These indicators are shown in the table.

For rate normal indicators The definition of all structural elements of the lateral ventricles is also used. The lateral cisterns should be less than 4 mm deep, the anterior horns between 2 and 4 mm, and the occipital horns between 10 and 15 mm.

Causes of enlarged ventricles

Premature babies may have dilated ventricles immediately after birth. They are located symmetrically. Symptoms intracranial hypertension in a child with this state usually does not occur. If only one of the horns increases slightly, then this may be evidence of the presence of pathology.

The following reasons lead to the development of ventricular enlargement:

Fetal hypoxia, anatomical defects in the structure of the placenta, development of placental insufficiency. Such conditions lead to disruption of the blood supply to the brain of the unborn child, which can cause expansion of the intracranial collectors.

Traumatic brain injuries or falls. In this case, the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid is disrupted. This condition causes water to stagnate in the ventricles, which can lead to symptoms of increased intracranial pressure.

Pathological birth. Traumatic injuries, as well as unforeseen circumstances during childbirth, can lead to disruption of the blood supply to the brain. These emergency conditions often contribute to the development of ventricular dilatation.

Infection bacterial infections during pregnancy. Pathogenic microorganisms easily penetrate the placenta and can cause various complications The child has.

Prolonged labor. Too much for a long time between departure amniotic fluid and expulsion of the baby can lead to the development of intrapartum hypoxia, which causes a violation of the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid from the dilated ventricles.

Oncological formations and cysts that are located in the brain. The growth of tumors puts excess pressure on intracerebral structures. This leads to the development pathological expansion ventricles.

Foreign bodies and elements which are located in the brain.

Infectious diseases. Many bacteria and viruses easily penetrate the blood-brain barrier. This contributes to the development of numerous pathological formations in the brain.

Fetal hypoxia

Traumatic brain injuries or falls

Pathological birth

Bacterial infections during pregnancy

Oncological formations and cysts that are located in the brain

Infectious diseases

How does it manifest?

Ventricular dilatation does not always lead to adverse symptoms. In most cases, the child does not experience any discomfort that would indicate the presence of a pathological process.

Only with pronounced disturbances do the first adverse manifestations of the disease begin to occur. These include:

Gait disturbance. Babies begin to walk on tiptoes or step on their heels.

The appearance of visual disturbances. They often manifest themselves in children in the form of squint or insufficient focusing on various objects. In some cases, a child may experience double vision, which worsens when looking at small objects.

Trembling of hands and feet.

Behavioral disorders. Babies become more lethargic and drowsy. In some cases, even apathetic. It is very difficult to captivate a child with any games or recreational activities.

Headache. It appears when intracranial pressure increases. At the height of pain, vomiting may occur.

Dizziness.

Decreased appetite. Babies in the first months of life refuse breastfeeding, eat poorly. In some cases, the baby spits up more.

Sleep disturbance. Babies may have difficulty falling asleep. Some children walk in their sleep.

The disease may be varying degrees gravity. At minimal symptoms talk about mild flow. When headache, dizziness, and other symptoms indicating high intracranial hypertension appear, the disease becomes moderately severe. If general state the child is severely impaired and requires treatment in inpatient conditions, then the disease becomes more severe.

Consequences

Late diagnosis pathological conditions, leading to the appearance of expansions in the area of ​​the ventricles of the brain, may affect the further development of the child. The first persistent symptoms of ventricular dilatation are observed in babies at 6 months.

Impaired outflow of liquor fluid can lead to a persistent increase in intracranial pressure. In severe cases of the disease, this contributes to the development of disturbances of consciousness. Visual and hearing disorders lead to the development of hearing loss and weakened vision in the child. Some babies have epileptic seizures and seizures.

Diagnostics

In order to determine the exact size of the ventricles, as well as find out their depth, doctors prescribe several examination methods.

The most informative and reliable are:

Ultrasonography. Allows you to accurately describe quantitative indicators ventricles, and also calculate the ventricular index. Using ultrasound, you can estimate the volume of liquor fluid that is present in the brain collectors during the study.

CT scan. With high accuracy it allows you to describe the structure and size of all ventricles of the brain. The procedure is safe and does not cause pain in the baby.

Magnetic resonance imaging. It is used in complex diagnostic cases when establishing a diagnosis is difficult. Suitable for older children who are able to remain still throughout the examination. In young children, MRI is performed under general anesthesia.

Fundus examination.

Neurosonography.

Ultrasonography

CT scan

Magnetic resonance imaging

Fundus examination

Neurosonography

Treatment

Treatment of pathological conditions that lead to dilatation and asymmetry of the ventricles of the brain is usually carried out by a neurologist. In some cases, when the cause of the disease is space-occupying formations or the consequences of traumatic brain injuries, a neurosurgeon is involved.

For elimination pathological symptoms The following treatment methods are used:

Prescribing diuretics. Diuretics help reduce the manifestations of intracranial hypertension and improve the baby’s well-being. They also help normalize the formation of cerebrospinal fluid.

Nootropics. They improve brain function and also promote good blood supply to blood vessels.

Medicines with a sedative effect. Used to eliminate increased anxiety and agitation.

Potassium preparations. Positively affects urine excretion. This helps reduce increased amount cerebrospinal fluid in the body.

Multivitamin complexes. Used to compensate for all essential microelements involved in vital processes. They also help strengthen the body and promote better resistance to disease.

Soothing and relaxing massage. Allows you to reduce muscle tone and also helps to relax the nervous system.

Physiotherapy. Helps normalize the outflow of liquor fluid and prevents its stagnation in the cerebral ventricles.

Prescribing antibacterial or antiviral drugs according to indications. They are used only in cases where the cause of the disease is viruses or bacteria. Appointed for a course appointment.

Surgery. Used in cases of various volumetric formations or to remove fragments bone tissue as a result of a skull fracture due to traumatic brain injury.

Forecast

If the condition develops in infancy and early childhood infancy, then the course of the disease is usually favorable. With appropriate treatment, all discomfort symptoms quickly disappear and do not bother the baby. High intracranial pressure normalizes.

In older children, the prognosis of the disease is somewhat different. Adverse symptoms are much more difficult to treat. A long course of the disease can lead to permanent visual and hearing impairment. If treatment was not started in a timely manner, then in most cases the child experiences persistent disorders that negatively affect his mental and mental development.

Dr. Komarovsky will talk about the expansion of the ventricles of the brain in infants and its consequences.

The ventricles of the brain are a system of anastomizing cavities that communicate with the subarachnoid space and canal spinal cord. They contain cerebrospinal fluid. Inner surface The walls of the ventricles are covered by ependyma.

1. Lateral ventricles are cavities in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid. These ventricles are the largest in the ventricular system. The left ventricle is called the first, and the right - the second. It is worth noting that the lateral ventricles communicate with the third ventricle through the interventricular or Monroe foramina. Their location is below the corpus callosum, on both sides of the midline, symmetrically. Each lateral ventricle has anterior horn, posterior horn, body, lower horn.
2. Third ventricle– located between the visual tuberosities. It has a ring-shaped form because intermediate plants grow into it visual cusps. The walls of the ventricle are filled with central gray medulla. It contains subcortical autonomic centers. The third ventricle communicates with the midbrain aqueduct. Posterior to the nasal commissure, it communicates through the interventricular foramen with the lateral ventricles of the brain.
3. Fourth ventricle– located between the medulla oblongata and the cerebellum. The vault of this ventricle is the cerebral velum and the worm, and the bottom is the pons and medulla oblongata.

This ventricle is a remnant of the cavity of the brain bladder, located posteriorly. That is why this is a common cavity for the parts of the hindbrain that make up the rhombencephalon - the cerebellum, medulla oblongata, isthmus and pons.

The fourth ventricle is shaped like a tent, in which you can see the bottom and roof. It is worth noting that the bottom or base of this ventricle has a diamond shape; it is, as it were, pressed into back surface pons and medulla oblongata. That is why it is commonly called the diamond-shaped fossa. The spinal cord canal is open in the posteroinferior corner of this fossa. In this case, in the anterosuperior corner there is a connection between the fourth ventricle and the aqueduct.

The lateral angles blindly end in the form of two recesses that bend ventrally near the inferior cerebellar peduncles.

Lateral ventricles of the brain They are relatively large in size and C-shaped. In the cerebral ventricles, cerebrospinal fluid or cerebrospinal fluid is synthesized, which then ends up in the subarachnoid space. If the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid from the ventricles is disrupted, the person is diagnosed with "".

Choroid plexuses of the ventricles of the brain

These are structures located in the area of ​​the roof of the third and fourth ventricles, and, in addition, in the region of part of the walls of the lateral ventricles. They are responsible for producing approximately 70-90% of cerebrospinal fluid. It is worth noting that 10-30% is produced by tissues of the central nervous system, and also secretes ependyma outside the choroid plexuses.

They are formed by branching protrusions of the pia mater of the brain, which protrude into the lumen of the ventricles. These plexuses are covered by special cubic choroid ependymocytes.

Choroid ependymocytes

The surface of the ependyma is characterized by the fact that here the movement of the processous Kolmer cells, which are characterized by a well-developed lysosomal apparatus, occurs; it is worth noting that they are considered macrophages. On the basement membrane there is a layer of ependymocytes, which separates it from the fibrous connective tissue of the soft shell of the brain - it contains many fenestrated capillaries, and you can also find layered calcified bodies, which are also called nodules.

Selective ultrafiltration of blood plasma components occurs into the lumen of the ventricles from the capillaries, which is accompanied by the formation of cerebrospinal fluid - this process occurs with the help of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier.

There is evidence that ependymal cells can secrete a number of proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid. In addition, partial absorption of substances from the cerebrospinal fluid occurs. This allows you to cleanse it of metabolic products and medicines, including antibiotics.

Blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier

It includes:

• cytoplasm of fenestrated endothelial capillary cells;
• pericapillary space – it contains fibrous connective tissue soft shell of the brain containing a large number of macrophages;
• basement membrane of capillary endothelium;
• layer of choroid ependymal cells;
• ependymal basement membrane.

Cerebrospinal fluid

Its circulation occurs in the central canal of the spinal cord, subarachnoid space, and ventricles of the brain. Total volume of cerebrospinal fluid in an adult should be one hundred and forty to one hundred and fifty milliliters. This liquid is produced in the amount of five hundred milliliters per day, and it is completely renewed within four to seven hours. The composition of cerebrospinal fluid differs from blood serum - it contains increased concentrations of chlorine, sodium and potassium, and the presence of protein is sharply reduced.

The cerebrospinal fluid also contains individual lymphocytes - no more than five cells per milliliter.

The absorption of its components occurs in the area of ​​the villi of the arachnoid plexus, which protrude into the expanded subdural spaces. To a small extent, this process also occurs with the help of the ependyma of the choroid plexuses.

As a result of disruption of the normal outflow and absorption of this fluid, hydrocephalus develops. This disease is characterized by dilation of the ventricles and compression of the brain. During the prenatal period, as well as early childhood Until the sutures of the skull close, an increase in the size of the head is also observed.

Functions of cerebrospinal fluid:

• removal of metabolites that are released by brain tissue;
• cushioning of concussions and various impacts;
• the formation of a hydrostatic membrane near the brain, blood vessels, nerve roots, freely suspended in the cerebrospinal fluid, due to which the tension of the roots and blood vessels decreases;
• the formation of an optimal liquid environment that surrounds the organs of the central nervous system, which allows maintaining the constancy of the ionic composition, which is responsible for the proper activity of neurons and glia;
• integrative – due to the transfer of hormones and other biologically active substances.

Tanycytes

This term refers to specialized ependymal cells located in the lateral areas of the wall of the third ventricle, the median eminence and the infundibular recess. With the help of these cells, communication is ensured between blood and cerebrospinal fluid in the lumen of the cerebral ventricles.

They have a cubic or prismatic shape, the apical surface of these cells is covered with individual cilia and microvilli. A long process branches off from the basal one, which ends in a lamellar extension located on blood capillary. With the help of tanycytes, substances are absorbed from the cerebrospinal fluid, after which they transport them through their process into the lumen of blood vessels.

Ventricular diseases

The most common disease of the cerebral ventricles is. It is a disease in which the volume of the cerebral ventricles increases, sometimes to impressive sizes. Symptoms of this disease appear due to excess production of cerebrospinal fluid and accumulation of this substance in the area of ​​the brain cavities. Most often, this disease is diagnosed in newborns, but sometimes it occurs in people of other age categories.

For diagnostics various pathologies work of the ventricles of the brain using magnetic resonance or computed tomography. Using these research methods, it is possible to detect the disease in a timely manner and prescribe adequate therapy.

They have a complex structure; in their work they are associated with various organs and systems. It is worth noting that their expansion may indicate developing hydrocephalus - in this case, consultation with a competent specialist is required.