{"id":9467,"date":"2026-01-13T06:52:37","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T05:52:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neurohirurgija.in.rs\/?page_id=9467"},"modified":"2026-02-16T16:29:58","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T15:29:58","slug":"ventricular-system-cerebrospinal-fluid-csf-simple-explanation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/neurohirurgija.in.rs\/en\/ventricular-system-cerebrospinal-fluid-csf-simple-explanation\/","title":{"rendered":"Ventricular System & Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) \u2014 Simple Explanation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n Author:<\/span>\n \n Dr. Zeljko Kojadinovic, MD, PhD\n <\/a>\n \u2014 Neurosurgeon and Pain Management Specialist\n <\/div>\n\n
\n Specialized Experience:<\/span>\n 30 years of clinical expertise in neurosurgery\n <\/div>\n\n
\n Last medically reviewed:<\/span>\n January 8, 2026\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What are the brain ventricles?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The ventricles are a connected system of fluid-filled spaces inside the brain. They contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The ventricles are normal anatomy \u2014 everyone has them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are four main parts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lateral ventricles (right and left)<\/strong>
These are the largest ventricles. They sit deep inside each cerebral hemisphere. Lateral ventricles connect to the third ventricle through the interventricular foramina (Foramina of Monro)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Third ventricle<\/strong>
A narrow midline cavity between the two halves of the brain, near the thalamus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cerebral aqueduct (Aqueduct of Sylvius)<\/strong>
A small channel that connects the third ventricle to the fourth ventricle. Because it is narrow, it can become a bottleneck if CSF flow is disturbed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fourth ventricle<\/strong>
Located between the brainstem and the cerebellum. From here, CSF normally reaches the fluid spaces around the brain and spinal cord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ventricles<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Image: Ventricles of the brain (lateral, 3rd, and 4th) and the communications between them (foramen of Monro and the aqueduct of Sylvius).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

CSF is a clear fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord and also fills the ventricles. It is continuously produced and continuously absorbed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In adults, the total amount of CSF is relatively small, but it is renewed throughout the day. CSF problems are therefore usually related to flow and pressure balance<\/strong>, not to a lack of fluid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Where does CSF come from?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most CSF is produced by the choroid plexus<\/strong>, a specialized tissue located inside the ventricles, especially in the lateral ventricles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Cerebrospinal<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Image: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow: from production within the ventricles, circulation through the ventricular system, and exit into the subarachnoid space, where it flows before being resorbed into the venous system (specifically the dural venous sinuses).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What does CSF do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

CSF has several key roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n