Neuroanatomy

(eFig. 9.13). Inferior and lateral to the corpus callosum are
two large, fluid-filled cavities that represent the beginning of
the ventricular system. These most rostral cavities are the
two C-shaped lateral ventricles, located within the cerebral
hemispheres (eFig. 9.14). As the lateral ventricles extend
through all of the lobes of the cerebral hemispheres, they
are divided into five named parts. In the frontal lobe is the
anterior (frontal) horn, which transitions into the body
within the frontal and parietal lobes (eFig. 9.15). Project-
ing into the occipital lobe is the posterior (occipital) horn
(eFig. 9.15). A final horn extends inferiorly and anteriorly
as the inferior (temporal) horn in the temporal lobe (eFig.
9.15). Near the splenium of the corpus callosum, the body,
posterior, and inferior horns come together at the atrium/
trigone of the lateral ventricles (eFig. 9.15). Lining most of
the ventricles is the choroid plexus (eFig. 9.16), a series of

Telencephalon (Telen)
and lateral ventricle (LV)
Interventricular foramen (IF)
Prosencephalon (Pro) Diencephalon (Dien) and
third ventricle (ThrV)

Mesencephalon (Mes) and

Mesencephalon (Mes) cerebral aqueduct (CA)
Fourth ventricle (FV)
Rhombencephalon Cerebellum (Cbl) and pons
(Rhom)
Myelencephalon (medulla oblongata)

A B C

Pons Cbl Telen

FV CA Mes
FV Cbl CA
CA Mes
FV
Mes ThrV
IF
LV
LV
Dien
Rhom
Pro Telen
Medulla
Medulla IF
Pons
Spinal cord and Spinal cord
central canal
D E
F

eFig. 9.13  Development of the caverns and canals of the ventricular system as the cerebral hemispheres continue to grow. Dorsal views (A–C)
correlate with lateral views (D–F) at 5 weeks (D), 6 weeks (E), and 8.5 weeks (E, F) of gestation. Dashed lines outline the ventricles. (From
Haines D, Mihailoff G. Fundamental Neuroscience for Basic and Clinical Applications. 5th ed., Fig. 6-1A–C. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2013.)

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