lateral foramina of Luschka

(noun)

Also known as the lateral aperture, an opening in each lateral extremity of the fourth ventricle of the human brain that provides a conduit for cerebrospinal fluid to flow from the brain's ventricular system into the subarachnoid space.

Related Terms

Examples of lateral foramina of Luschka in the following topics:

  • Ventricles

    • The cavities of the cerebral hemispheres are called lateral ventricles or first and second ventricles.
    • CSF flows from the lateral ventricles via the foramina of Monro into the third ventricle, and then into the fourth ventricle via the cerebral aqueduct in the brainstem.
    • From there, it passes into the central canal of the spinal cord and into the cisterns of the subarachnoid space via three small foramina: the central foramen of Magendie and the two lateral foramina of Luschka.
    • The aqueduct between the third and fourth ventricles is very small, as are the foramina.
    • Lateral and anterior views of the brain ventricles, including the third and fourth ventricle, lateral ventricles, interventricular foramen, cerebral aqueduct, and central canal.

  • Overview of the Spinal Nerves

    • Each spinal nerve is formed by the combination of nerve fibers from the dorsal and ventral roots of the spinal cord.
    • A loop of nerves called ansa cervicalis is also part of the cervical plexus.
    • The medial branches of the posterior divisions of the lumbar nerves run close to the articular processes of the vertebrae and end in the multifidus muscle.
    • The lateral branches supply the erector spinae muscles.
    • Each nerve emerges in two divisions: one division through the anterior sacral foramina and the other division through the posterior sacral foramina.

  • Parts of a Vertebra

    • A typical vertebra of the upper region of the spine consists of two regions:
    • Located between each pair of vertebrae are two laterally located openings:
    • The intervertebral foramina that facilitate access to the spinal cord for nerves and vessels.
    • The vertebral arch is formed from two, short, thick processes called pediments that extend posteriorly from the lateral sides of the vertebral body, before joining together at the midline with the laminae.
    • The two transverse processes project laterally from the join between the pedicle and lamina and also serve as an attachment point for muscles and ligaments of the back.

  • The Spine

    • The vertebral arch is formed by a pair of pedicles and a pair of laminae.
    • These restrict the range of movement.
    • Between each pair of vertebrae are two small openings called intervertebral foramina through which the spinal nerves exit.
    • When viewed laterally, the vertebral column presents several curves corresponding to the different regions of the column: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and pelvic.
    • It ends at the middle of the second thoracic vertebra.

  • Cerebrospinal Fluid and Its Circulation

    • A 2010 study showed that analysis of CSF for three protein biomarkers can indicate the presence of Alzheimer's disease.
    • It circulates from the lateral ventricles to the foramen of Monro (interventricular foramen), third ventricle, aqueduct of Sylvius (cerebral aqueduct), fourth ventricle, foramen of Magendie (median aperture), foramen of Luschka (lateral apertures), and the subarachnoid space over the brain and the spinal cord.
    • CSF is produced at a rate of 500 ml/day.
    • Buoyancy: The actual mass of the human brain is about 1400 grams; however, the net weight of the brain suspended in the CSF is equivalent to a mass of 25 grams.
    • Diagrammatic representation of a section across the top of the skull, showing the membranes of the brain with the subarachnoid cavity visible on the left.