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Book

Cavum Septum Pellucidum

Joe M. Das  1 , Rimal H. Dossani  2
In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan.
.
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Book

Cavum Septum Pellucidum

Joe M. Das et al.
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Excerpt

The septum pellucidum (meaning translucent wall in Latin - SP), also known as the ventricle of Sylvius, is a thin, triangular double membrane separating the frontal horns of the right and left lateral ventricles of the brain. It extends between the anterior portion of the corpus callosum, and the body of the fornix and its width varies from 1.5 to 3.0 mm

The cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) is a potential cavity between the membranous leaves of the septum pellucidum, separated by at least 1 mm, and is considered a normal anatomical variation (see Images. Cavum Septum Pellucidum). It contains a filtrate of cerebrospinal fluid transferred from the ventricles through the septal laminae, and it does not communicate with the subarachnoid space. Sometimes, it may connect to a more posterior cavity called cavum vergae (CV), but separates from each other by an arbitrary vertical plane formed by the columns of the fornix. CSP and CV were respectively and incorrectly called the fifth and sixth ventricles in the past. Both are not parts of the ventricular system as they have a different embryological origin and lack a lining with ependymal or choroid plexus cells.

Boundaries of SP:

Superiorly - Inferior surface of the body of the corpus callosum

Antero-inferiorly - Superior surface of the genu of the corpus callosum

Posteroinferiorly - Corpus and columns of the fornix

Laterally - Medial wall of frontal horns of lateral ventricles

Medially - Virtual space with the contralateral septum

Boundaries of CSP

Anteriorly - Genu of the corpus callosum

Superiorly - Body of the corpus callosum

Posteriorly - Anterior limb and pillars of the fornix

Inferiorly - Anterior commissure and the rostrum of the corpus callosum and

Laterally - Leaflets of the septum pellucidum.

SP is an important part of the limbic system, with prominent connections to both the medial and the basolateral limbic circuit. Disease affecting the CSP can cause symptoms either by mass effect or by disturbance of the emotional and behavioral functions of the limbic system.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Joe Das declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Rimal Dossani declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

References

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    1. Farruggia S, Babcock DS. The cavum septi pellucidi: its appearance and incidence with cranial ultrasonography in infancy. Radiology. 1981 Apr;139(1):147-50. - PubMed
    1. Wang KC, Fuh JL, Lirng JF, Huang WC, Wang SJ. Headache profiles in patients with a dilatated cyst of the cavum septi pellucidi. Cephalalgia. 2004 Oct;24(10):867-74. - PubMed
    1. Fratzoglou M, Grunert P, Leite dos Santos A, Hwang P, Fries G. Symptomatic cysts of the cavum septi pellucidi and cavum vergae: the role of endoscopic neurosurgery in the treatment of four consecutive cases. Minim Invasive Neurosurg. 2003 Aug;46(4):243-9. - PubMed
    1. Sener RN. Cysts of the septum pellucidum. Comput Med Imaging Graph. 1995 Jul-Aug;19(4):357-60. - PubMed

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