Definition of ventricle

The word "ventricle" derives from the Latin term "ventriculus," which means "little belly" or "little stomach." This name was given to the chambers of the heart and brain that resemble the shape and function of the stomach's smaller muscular pocket in infants. In the human body, the heart has four chambers: two atria (upper chambers) and two ventricles (lower chambers). Oxygen-depleted blood leaves the heart through the left ventricle, while oxygen-rich blood travels out of the heart via the right ventricle. The ventricles, like the stomach, are muscular sacs that powerfully contract and expel their contents. Likewise, the brain has four ventricles: two lateral (or cerebral) ventricles, one third (or mesencephalic) ventricle, and one fourth (or rhombencephalic) ventricle. These fluid-filled spaces provide a cushion for the brain, filter and recirculate cerebrospinal fluid, protect the brain from trauma, and enable communication between neurons. In summary, the Latin term "ventriculus" is still accurately used today to describe the lower chambers of the heart and the fluid-filled cavities in the brain, emphasizing their resemblance to the stomach's smaller section in infants.