Ventricles ( Lateral View )

Each lateral ventricle consists of several parts, pictured above. One part is called the anterior (frontal) horn of the lateral ventricle, which is the front part of the lateral ventricle. The anterior horn is located in the front section of the brain, known as the frontal lobe. The anterior horn is positioned in front of the interventricular foramen, which connects the lateral ventricles to the third ventricle.

Above the anterior horn of the lateral ventricle is the corpus callosum (also pictured above). The corpus callosum is a group of nerve fibers that connect both sides of the brain and allow them to communicate. The anterior horns of the lateral ventricle are separated by two triangular-shaped membranes known as the septum pellucidum. Directly below the anterior horn of the lateral ventricle is the head of the caudate nucleus. The caudate nucleus is a paired group of nerve cells that play an important role in body movements.

The back of the lateral ventricle is known as the posterior horn of the lateral ventricle. This is sometimes referred to as the occipital horn of the lateral ventricle because it extends into a section of the back part of the brain called the occipital lobe. More specifically, each posterior horn extends into the white matter of the occipital lobe. White matter is a group of white nerve fibers that conduct nerve impulses quickly. Like the anterior horn of the lateral ventricle, the corpus callosum is also above the posterior horn.

The center part of the lateral ventricle is appropriately named the central part of the lateral ventricle. The central part of the lateral ventricle is also known as the central body and the cella media. Above the central part of the lateral ventricle is the corpus callosum (see above). The middle of the central part of the lateral ventricle is formed by the back part of the septum pellucidum (see above).

Below the central part of the lateral ventricle are parts of the caudate nucleus (see above), parts of the choroid plexus (the blood vessels in the lateral ventricle that produce cerebrospinal fluid), the thalamus, and the fornix cerebri. The thalamus is a pair of large oval structures that sends out messages regarding sensation. The fornix cerebri is an arch like body of nerve fibers that projects outwards from the hippocampus (a structure in the lower part of the brain that is important for memory).

The bottom of the lateral ventricle is known as the inferior horn of the lateral ventricle. This is sometimes referred to as the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle because it is in an area of the brain called the temporal lobe. Above the inferior horn is white matter of the brain. The middle of the inferior horn is formed by the tail of the caudate nucleus (see above) and the stria terminalis. The stria terminalis is a thin bundle of fibers that forms a pathway in the limbic system. The limbic system is an area near the edge of the middle part of the brain that is important for producing emotions.

The amygdala bulges into the end of the inferior horn. The amygdala is a round mass of gray matter (a gray appearing substance) in the temporal lobe. The temporal lobes are located on the sides of the brain by the ears. The bottom and middle part of the internal horn is formed by the hippocampus (see above), fimbria of the hippocampus, and collateral eminence. The fimbria of the hippocampus is a band of fibers alongside the hippocampus. The collateral eminence is a bulging of white matter that is found near the hippocampus.

The lateral ventricles take on a curved shape that conforms to the shape of each half of the brain. The lateral ventricles pass through all four lobes (sections) of the brain. As you can see from the pictures above, the lateral ventricles are connected to the third ventricle. The area that connects the lateral ventricles with the third ventricle is known as the interventricular foramen of Monro (also known as the interventricular foramen and the foramen of Monro). The choroid plexus, which are the blood vessels in the lateral ventricle that produce cerebrospinal fluid, are found in the central part of the lateral ventral and the inferior horn, but not in the anterior or posterior horns.

The lateral ventricle is also known as the ventriculus lateralis and the ventricle of cerebral hemisphere.

Lateral ventricles comes from the Latin word "latus" meaning "side" and the Latin word "venter" meaning "belly." Put the words together and you have "side belly."