Question

What is the cerebral aqueduct?

Answer 1

Solution

Cerebral aqueduct:

The cerebral aqueduct is a component of the brain's ventricular system. It functions as a canal through which cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF, flows and joins the third and fourth ventricles of the brain. The spinal cord and the ventricles of the brain both contain CSF.

• The cerebral aqueduct (also known as the aqueductus mesencephali, mesencephalic duct, Sylvian aqueduct, or aqueduct of Sylvius) is a CSF conduit that links the third and fourth ventricles of the brain's ventricular system.
• The choroid plexus is absent from this midline channel, which is around 1.5 mm in diameter in adults. Its small diameter renders it particularly prone to occlusion.
• For example, cellular waste in the ventricular system may obstruct the aqueduct due to infections or bleeding. Pinealoma and other tumours in the midbrain can compress the midbrain and obstruct the aqueduct.
• As a result, CSF flow is blocked, and the third and lateral ventricles swell at the expense of the surrounding brain tissue. Because all ventricular regions upstream of the blockage are enlarged, this is referred to as triventricular hydrocephalus.
• The periaqueductal sleeve surrounds the cerebral aqueduct on both sides and comprises mostly tiny neurons; this is the periaqueductal sleeve.

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