Cerebral aqueduct

Cerebral aqueduct

Section through superior colliculus showing path of oculomotor nerve.

Drawing of a cast of the ventricular cavities, viewed from the side.
Details
Identifiers
Latin aqueductus mesencephali (cerebri).
aqueductus Sylvii
MeSH A08.186.211.132.659.822.187
NeuroNames hier-500
NeuroLex ID Cerebral aqueduct

Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

The cerebral aqueduct, also known as the aqueductus mesencephali, mesencephalic duct, sylvian aqueduct or the aqueduct of Sylvius is within the mesencephalon (or midbrain), contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and connects the third ventricle in the diencephalon to the fourth ventricle within the region of the mesencephalon and metencephalon, located dorsal to the pons and ventral to the cerebellum.

Structure

Development

The cerebral aqueduct, as other parts of the ventricular system of the brain, develops from the central canal of the neural tube, and it originates from the portion of the neural tube that is present in the developing mesencephalon, hence the name "mesencephalic duct."[1]

Function

The aqueduct functions to connect the third and fourth ventricles and to ensure the flow of cerebrospinal fluid through these areas.

Clinical significance

Aqueductal stenosis, a narrowing of the cerebral aqueduct, obstructs the flow of CSF and has been associated with non-communicating hydrocephalus. Such narrowing can be congenital, arise via tumor compression, or through cyclical gliosis secondary to an initial partial obstruction.

See also

References

  1. Le, Tao; Bhushan, Vikas; Vasan, Neil (2010). First Aid for the USMLE Step 1: 2010 20th Anniversary Edition. USA: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. p. 126. ISBN 978-0-07-163340-6.
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