Fourth ventricle

Last revised by Craig Hacking on 3 Aug 2022

The fourth ventricle is one of the components of the ventricular system in the brain, along with the lateral and third ventricles. It extends from the cerebral aqueduct (of Sylvius) rostrally to the obex caudally and is filled with CSF.

CSF enters the ventricle via the cerebral aqueduct and leaves via one of four routes:

It is characteristically diamond-shaped in sagittal cross-section and located dorsal to the pons or upper part of the medulla oblongata. The roof, located dorsally is formed by the superior medullary velum and inferior medullary velum overlying the cerebellum. The floor, located ventrally, is formed by the rhomboid fossa, a diamond-shaped depression on the dorsal surface of the pons and upper half of the medulla. The sidewalls are formed by the vela and cerebellar peduncles. The peak of the fourth ventricle within the cerebellum is the fastigium and it underlies the fastigial nucleus. It is widest at the level of the pontomedullary junction. The obex is the most caudal tip of the fourth ventricle.

The fourth ventricle contains choroid plexus along its roof along the tela choroidea which may protrude out the lateral foramina of Luschka.

Related pathology

See also

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.