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Medial vein of lateral ventricle

The medial vein of the lateral ventricle is a deep cerebral vein that drains venous blood from the medial and deep structures of the lateral ventricle. It is an important component of the deep venous system of the brain and contributes to the formation of the internal cerebral veins.

This vein is a consistent anatomical structure and serves as a key landmark in neuroanatomy and neuroimaging, particularly in the evaluation of ventricular anatomy and deep cerebral venous drainage.

Synonyms

  • Medial ventricular vein

  • Medial choroidal vein (context-dependent usage)

Location

  • Located along the medial aspect of the lateral ventricle

  • Closely associated with the roof and medial wall of the lateral ventricle

  • Courses within the tela choroidea

  • Situated superior to the thalamus

  • Runs toward the foramen of Monro

  • Contributes to the deep venous system near the midline

Anatomical course

  • Originates from venous tributaries of the septum pellucidum and medial ventricular wall

  • Courses posterior to anterior along the medial margin of the lateral ventricle

  • Runs parallel to the choroid plexus in the body of the lateral ventricle

  • Joins with other deep veins near the foramen of Monro

  • Contributes to formation of the internal cerebral vein, typically by uniting with the thalamostriate vein

Relations

Superiorly:

  • Corpus callosum

  • Septum pellucidum

Inferiorly:

  • Thalamus

Laterally:

  • Body of the lateral ventricle

Medially:

  • Septum pellucidum

Anteriorly:

  • Foramen of Monro

Posteriorly:

  • Body of the lateral ventricle

Venous drainage

  • Drains blood from:

    • Medial wall of the lateral ventricle

    • Septum pellucidum

    • Adjacent deep white matter

  • Empties into:

    • Internal cerebral vein (directly or indirectly)

  • Part of:

    • Deep cerebral venous system

Function

  • Venous outflow: Drains deep periventricular and ventricular structures

  • Pressure regulation: Assists in maintaining venous balance within deep brain regions

  • Venous connectivity: Contributes to efficient drainage toward the vein of Galen

MRI appearance (normal)

T1-weighted images:

  • Medial vein: Flow void or thin linear low-signal structure near the medial ventricular wall

  • Best appreciated on high-resolution or post-contrast images

T2-weighted images:

  • Normal vein: Flow void or low-signal linear structure

  • Seen in relation to the lateral ventricle and septum pellucidum

FLAIR:

  • Normal: Typically inconspicuous due to flowing blood

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI):

  • Normal: No diffusion restriction

Post-contrast T1-weighted images:

  • Normal: Thin linear enhancement following venous course

CT appearance 

Non-contrast CT:

  • Medial vein: Usually not visible

Post-contrast CT / CT venography:

  • Normal: Linear or curvilinear enhancement along the medial ventricular margin

MRI image

MRI Medial vein of lateral ventricle anatomy image -img-00000-00000