Abstract:

Objective    To study characteristics of the lateral ventricle and the third ventricle, and provide anatomic basis for neuroendoscopic operations.  Methods    By adopting three kinds of approaches (forecoronale frontal horn, triangular area and occipital horn approach) to the ventricles respectively, the structures of lateral ventricles and the third ventricles were observed and measured in 10 adult cadaveric head specimens under neuroendoscope.   Results    (1) Through forecoronale frontal horn approach, the rigid endoscope can clearly show the bodies and frontal horns of the ventricles, and the "Y" shaped interventricular foramen, which connected to third ventricle. (2)The distances from cortex-punctured point to later ventricle and interventricular foramen were (28.7±2.6) mm and (55.1±2.8) mm through forecoronale approach, and the distance from frontal horn to interventricular foramen were (30.8±2.3) mm, as well the sagittal and transverse diameters of interventricular foreman (5.6±1.4) mm and (3.2±1.1) mm, the sagittal and transverse diameters of interthalamic adhesion (6.3±1.8) mm and (3.4±1.2) mm. (3) Bodies of the ventricles and choroids plexus could be exposed through transoccipital horn and triangular area approaches.   Conclusions     (1) Neuroendoscopic forecoronale frontal horn approach was a ideal approach to present lateral ventricle, interventricular foramen areas and the third ventricle． (2) An ideal operational space in the trigone and body of lateral ventricle can be provided by endoscopic transoccipital horn approach，which is a valuable way to treat lesions in occipital horn and trigone of lateral ventricle．(3)Triangular area approach is less value during clinical application.

Key words: Neuroendoscopy!Lateral ventricle!Applied anatomy!Operating approach