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Fourth Ventricle: Key Brainstem Structure and Its Development

Discover the diamond-shaped fourth ventricle's critical role in brain health. Understand its development and potential complications.

In this image there is a page in a book where there are three skulls and some text on the paper.
In this image there is a page in a book where there are three skulls and some text on the paper.

Fourth Ventricle: Key Brainstem Structure and Its Development

The fourth ventricle, a diamond-shaped cavity, is a crucial component of the brainstem. It develops from the hindbrain during pregnancy and spans from the obex to the cerebral aqueduct.

The roof of the fourth ventricle is formed by the cerebellum, while its floor is created by the rhomboid fossa. This floor houses notable structures like the facial colliculus, sulcus limitans, and the obex. The brain contains cerebrospinal fluid, playing a vital role in protecting the brain and aiding the formation of the central canal in the spinal cord.

During development, overproduction of cerebrospinal fluid can lead to hydrocephalus. The fourth ventricle originates from the cavity of the metencephalon and myelencephalon parts of the neural tube during the first three months of pregnancy.

The fourth ventricle, shaped like a diamond and located in the upper portion of the medulla, is a critical structure in the brainstem. Its development, function, and potential complications highlight its importance in brain health and development.

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