Cerebral aqueduct

The cerebral aqueduct, (aqueductus mesencephali, mesencephalic duct, sylvian aqueduct, or aqueduct of Sylvius), is within the midbrain. It contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and connects the third ventricle to the fourth ventricle, located dorsal to the pons and ventral to the cerebellum. The cerebral aqueduct is surrounded by an enclosing area of gray matter called the periaqueductal gray, or central gray.

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
Latinaqueductus mesencephali (cerebri).
aqueductus Sylvii
MeSHD002535
NeuroNames509
NeuroLex IDbirnlex_1261
TAA14.1.06.501
FMA78467
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

It was first named after Franciscus Sylvius.

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 cerebral aqueduct acts like a canal that passes through the midbrain and connects the third ventricle with the fourth ventricle of the brain and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) finds its natural pathway through the cerebral ventricles and the canal connecting these ventricles.

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 (e.g. pinealoblastoma), or through cyclical gliosis secondary to an initial partial obstruction.

Additional images
  • Transverse section through mid-brain; number 2 indicates the cerebral aqueduct.
  • Transverse section of mid-brain at level of inferior colliculi.
  • Transverse section of mid-brain at level of superior colliculi.
  • MRI section of mid-brain.
  • Median sagittal section of brain.
  • Scheme showing relations of the ventricles to the surface of the brain.
  • Cerebral aqueduct
  • Cerebral aqueduct
  • Cerebral peduncle, optic chasm, cerebral aqueduct. Inferior view. Deep dissection.
  • Cerebral peduncle, optic chasm, cerebral aqueduct. Inferior view. Deep dissection.
  • Cerebrum. Inferior view.Deep dissection

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. pp. 126. ISBN 978-0-07-163340-6.
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