FORAMEN OF MAGENDIE Meaning and
Definition
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The foramen of Magendie, also known as the median aperture, refers to a small opening situated in the posterior portion of the fourth ventricle within the brain. It is named after François Magendie, a renowned French physiologist who first discovered and described this anatomical structure.
This foramen serves as a critical passage between the fourth ventricle and the cisterna magna, which is a subarachnoid space located in the posterior cranial fossa. The fourth ventricle is a fluid-filled cavity found in the brainstem, responsible for the circulation, production, and drainage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
The foramen of Magendie acts as one of the outlets for the CSF to flow out of the ventricular system, allowing it to enter the subarachnoid space and distribute throughout the craniospinal axis. Along with the lateral apertures or foramina of Luschka, the foramen of Magendie contributes to the normal circulation and maintenance of CSF within the central nervous system.
Any obstruction or abnormality of the foramen of Magendie can disrupt the flow of CSF, causing an accumulation of fluid in the ventricular system and leading to conditions such as hydrocephalus. Surgical interventions may be required to address these issues, such as the placement of shunts or the creation of alternative CSF drainage pathways.
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Median aperture of the fourth ventricle, an opening in the roof communicating with the subarachnoid space.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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