Third Ventricle:
The third ventricle is a narrow cavity located between the two hemispheres of the diencephalon of the forebrain. The third ventricle is part of a network of linked cavities (cerebral ventricles) in the brain that extend to form the central canal of the spinal cord. The cerebral ventricles consist of the lateral ventricles, third ventricle and fourth ventricle. The ventricles contain cerebrospinal fluid which is produced by specialized epithelium located within the ventricles called the choroid plexus. The third ventricle is connected to the fourth ventricle via the cerebral aqueduct which extends through the midbrain.
Function:
The third ventricle is involved in several functions of the body including:
- Protection of the Brain From Trauma
- Pathway for the Circulation of Cerebrospinal Fluid
Location:
Directionally, the third ventricle is situated in the middle of the cerebral hemispheres, between the right and left thalamus.
Images:
More Information:
For additional information on the third ventricle, see:
