
Cavum septum pellucidum. The cavum septi pellucidi (CSP) and cavum Vergae (CV) are persistent, primitive, or acquired, midline structures, fluid-filled, generally communicating located between the third ventricle and corpus callosum. It is sometimes called the fifth ventricle.
What is the cavum septum pellucidum?
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.
What is an absent septum pellucidum?
Cavum septum pellucidum is a Latin term deriving from, 'cavum' meaning 'space', 'septum' meaning 'fence', and therefore a dividing structure, and 'pellucidus' meaning 'transparent'. However, an absent cavum septum pellucidum in antenatal imaging is a concerning feature and is associated with significant CNS anomalies 6.
What is the cave of the septum pellucidum on CT?
[edit on Wikidata] Cave of septum pellucidum seen on CT. The cave of septum pellucidum (CSP), or cavum septi pellucidi, describes a split-like space in the septum pellucidum. The septum pellucidum is a laminated thin translucent vertical membrane in the midline of the brain separating the anterior horns of the right and left ventricles.
What is the function of the septum pellucidum?
In fetal life the laminae of the septum pellucidum separate to form a small cavity – the cavum septi pellucidi. This is an important normal structure to identify in the sonographic assessment of the fetal brain. In post-natal life the laminae of the septum pellucidum usually fuse which obliterates the cavum.

What does persistent cavum septum pellucidum mean?
Persistence of the cave of septum pellucidum after infancy has been loosely associated with neural maldevelopment and several mental disorders that correlate with decreased brain tissue.
Is persistent cavum septum pellucidum normal?
Epidemiology. A cavum septum pellucidum is present in the normal fetus, but over 85% of them fuse by 3-6 months of age meaning that a cavum septum pellucidum persists in ~15% of the adult population.
What is septum cavum Pellucidum?
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.
What is the function of the septum pellucidum in the brain?
The septum pellucidum acts as a partition between a portion of the lateral ventricles, forming part of the walls of the anterior region of the lateral ventricles. It is made up of a thin two-layered structure that consists of white matter, some neurons, fiber bundles, and blood vessels.
At what age does the cavum septum pellucidum close?
The cavum septum pellucidum, a cavity filled with CSF, is localized between the 2 lateral ventricles of the brain. The cavum is present in all neonates, but it typically closes within 5 months after birth.
Is cavum septum pellucidum common?
Cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) is a relatively common neuroanatomical variant of the septum pellucidum, the thin triangular membrane between the right and left lateral ventricles in the medial frontal lobe of the human brain (Tubbs et al., 2011).
What is cavum septum pellucidum in ultrasound?
The cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) is a fluid-filled cavity situated between the membranes which form the septum pellucidum (Figure 1). It is commonly demonstrated with ultrasound in the second- and third-trimester fetus in most premature infants and in about 50% of full-term infants1±3.
Where is the septum pellucidum?
The septum pellucidum (SP) is a thin membrane located at the midline of the brain between the two cerebral hemispheres, or halves of the brain. It is connected to the corpus callosum -- a collection of nerve fibers that connect the cerebral hemispheres.
What is CSP in a baby?
Cavum septi pellucidi (CSP) is an important landmark in the prenatal ultrasound evaluation of the fetal brain, and is a marker for normal central forebrain development. • Non-visualisation of the CSP is most commonly associated with other neuroanatomical abnormalities. •
What happens if the septum pellucidum is damaged?
Specifically, a thin membrane called the septum pellucidum is missing from its normal position in the middle of the brain. [12623] When it is missing, symptoms may include learning difficulties, behavioral changes, seizures, and changes in vision.
Why is septum important?
It forms a barrier in the four-chamber of heart. It prevents oxygenated and deoxygenated blood from mixing. In the absence of septum double circulation has not occurred properly.
What does an absent CSP mean?
Absent CSP is a very important CNS malformation marker, and its presence should trigger extended fetal morpho-genetic evaluation. In our experience, almost half of the cases associated genetic disorders and 39% associated structural malformations.
What is normal CSP?
Mean CSP width was 5.3 +/- 1.7 mm (range 2-9 mm). The CSP width increased with gestational age and BPD but with a slight decrease around term. Conclusions: In normal fetuses the CSP should always be visualized between 18 and 37 weeks, or with a BPD of 44-88 mm.
Can you live without septum pellucidum?
By itself, absence of the septum pellucidum is not life-threatening.
What is cavum septum pellucidum in ultrasound?
The cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) is a fluid-filled cavity situated between the membranes which form the septum pellucidum (Figure 1). It is commonly demonstrated with ultrasound in the second- and third-trimester fetus in most premature infants and in about 50% of full-term infants1±3.
Is cavum septum Vergae normal?
Cavum Vergae is a normal anatomic variant, and is the posterior extension of a Cavum Septum Pellucidum, another normal anatomic variant. The cavity was first described by the Italian anatomist, Andrea Verga, in 1851. It may exist as a separate cavity, or may communicate with the Cavum Septum Pellucidum.
What does the Latin word "cavum septum pellucidum" mean?
Cavum septum pellucidum is a Latin term deriving from, 'cavum' meaning 'space', 'septum' meaning 'fence ', and therefore a dividing structure, and 'pellucidus' meaning 'transparent'.
How many months does a cavum septum pellucidum fuse?
A cavum septum pellucidum is present in the normal fetus, but over 85% of them fuse by 3-6 months of age meaning that a cavum septum pellucidum persists in ~15% of the adult population.
What is the CSP space?
Cavum septum pellucidum ( CSP) is a normal variant CSF space between the leaflets of the septum pellucidum. On this page:
What is the space between the septum and the pellucidum?
However, the term intends to refer to a space (cavum) that has persisted between the "septum pellucidum". Historically it has also been called the fifth ventricle, but this use is now advised against as the cavum does not usually have any direct communication with the ventricular system.
Is "cavum septum pellucidum" a noun?
Terminology. While the term "cavum septum pellucidum" is generally accepted, it is grammatically incorrect. Since it denotes a space (cavum meaning cave) of the septum pellucidum, the second part (septum pellucidum) should be in the genitive noun case, which would be inflected as cavum septi pellucidi. In its accepted misspelling as "cavum septum ...
What is absent cavum septum pellucidum?
An absent cavum septum pellucidum in antenatal imaging is a concerning feature and is associated with significant CNS anomalies.
What is the name of the space between the leaves of the septum pellucidum and the cavum?
Embriologically the leaves of the septum pellucidum enclose a cavity, the cavum septum pellucidum. This space first appears during the 3rd month of intrauterine growth by secondary cleavage of the banks of fusion of the cerebral hemispheres 3).
What is TCD in the absence of other objective confirmatory studies?
TCD in the absence of other objective confirmatory studies, can aid in the diagnosis and provide information about the success of fenestration of the cavum septum 6).
Where is the CSP located?
The CSP commonly occurs, and is often confused with the cavum vergae, which is situated posterior to the anterior columns of the fornix. During development, these spaces obliterate postero-anteriorly – the cavum vergae followed by the cavum septum pellucidum – and it is not uncommon that both occur together.
Which part of the corpus callosum is inferior?
inferior: anterior commissure and the rostrum of the corpus callosum
Is the septum pellucidum a malformation?
Nonneoplastic cysts of the septum pellucidum are of two general forms. The first, the asymptomatic cavum septum pellucidum, is not a malformation or a true cyst and has been recognized since the time of Sylvius 1) 2) Embriologically the leaves of the septum pellucidum enclose a cavity, the cavum septum pellucidum.
Where is the agenesis of the septum pellucidum?
The CSP is a structure seen between 18 and 37 weeks of gestation, occasionally persisting through infancy, located between the frontal horns of the lateral ventricles, but it does not contain choroid plexus or communicate with the lateral ventricles and is not part of the ventricular system.
What does absence of pituitary infundibulum with posterior pituitary ectopia?
Absence of the pituitary infundibulum with posterior pituitary ectopia indicates congenital hypopituitarism. Endocrine studies should include assays of growth hormone, antidiuretic hormone, and the integrity of hypothalamic-pituitary control of the thyroid, adrenal, and gonadal systems.
What is the CSP of the brain?
FIGURE 7.4. The location of a cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) within the lateral ventricles (LV) and above the septal area (S) on a frontal section of the human brain. CSP, delimited by green lines, is a marker of abnormal forebrain development. Figure 7.4 is a copy of Figure 7.1, except that in Figure 7.1 a typical septum pellucidum (SP) is shown, while Figure 7.4 represents the atypical formation of a CSP. See text for additional details. Other abbreviations: AC = anterior commissure; AM = amygdala; BG = basal ganglia; CC = corpus callosum; LF = lateral fissure; OC = optic chiasm; POA = preoptic area (both medial and lateral POA).
What is septo optic dysplasia?
Septo-optic dysplasia (SOD, OMIM 182230) is a rare malformation of the anterior midline structures of the brain ( Table 83-1). The classic triad includes optic nerve hypoplasia, midline brain defects (most commonly absent or cavum septum pellucidum or agenesis of the corpus callosum), and hypopituitarism, sometimes with hypoplasia of the anterior pituitary and/or ectopic posterior pituitary. Severely affected neonates may present with signs of hypopituitarism including hypoglycemia and prolonged jaundice; patients may also have defective vision, behavioral delay, hypotonia, and seizures. In mildly affected cases, the child may present with proportionate short stature and pendular nystagmus, with or without amblyopia. Ophthalmologic examination reveals bilateral hypoplasia of the optic nerves, with small optic discs and irregular field defects. Absence of the septum pellucidum can be diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound examination (9). Any or all of the three major defects (brain, optic tract, pituitary) may be present. Morishima and Aranoff concluded that only 30% of fully evaluated patients had evidence of all three components. Intelligence may be normal or mildly to moderately affected. The pituitary insufficiency, which may vary from IGHD to CPHD, is probably secondary to a diencephalic malformation resulting in deficiency of one or more of the hypothalamic-releasing hormones. Sexual precocity has been reported, as has hypersecretion of other pituitary hormones, including GH, ACTH, and PRL. Autopsy has shown absence of the posterior pituitary and diffuse lesions of the hypothalamus, optic nerves, corpus callosum, and olfactory tract, as well as defects in the cerebral cortex. A variety of other anomalies, including hand and facial defects, have occasionally been described. This syndrome should be considered in any child with hypopituitarism and nystagmus or abnormalities of the optic disc. Almost all of the cases described to date with SOD and growth retardation have been sporadic, with no evidence of ocular anomalies or hypopituitarism in their parents or sibs. Dattani and colleagues (3) demonstrated homozygosity for a missense mutation in the HESX1 gene in a brother and a sister with agenesis of the corpus callosum and panhypopituitarism. Subsequently, other patients with SOD and pituitary defects have been found to have HESX1 mutations, although it appears to be a relatively rare cause (fewer than 1% of patients with SOD and hypopituitarism) (10). HESX1 is described further in Section 83.2.3.
What is a CSP in CTE?
Cavum septum pellucidum. A cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) is a consistent neuropathologic feature of CTE and represents a deviation of the embryologic fluid space between the leaflets of the septum pellucidum. A CSP can be observed on conventional MRI. A recent study of 72 former NFL players and 14 former professional noncontact sport athletes who ...
How to diagnose CSP absence?
If it is absent, it is essential to assess the interhemispheric fissure and frontal horns of the lateral ventricles to check for holoprosencephaly or septo-optic dysplasia. Follow-up imaging during the pregnancy may also elucidate whether the CSP is truly isolated, or whether there are other associated neuronal migration disorders, which may appear only in late gestation or postnatally ( Barkovich and Norman, 1989; Malinger et al., 2005 ).
Is septal agenesis isolated?
There have only been small studies attempting to address prognosis. If the septal agenesis is not isolated, prognosis relates to the associated anomalies. In the isolated case, confirmed postnatally, studies have indicated a normal prognosis in the short term.
Where is the septum pellucidum located?
The septum pellucidum is a laminated thin translucent vertical membrane in the midline of the brain separating the anterior horns of the right and left ventricles. It lies posterior to the corpus callosum.
What is the cave of the septum pellucidum?
Cave of septum pellucidum. The cave of septum pellucidum ( CSP ), cavum septi pellucidi, or cavity of septum pellucidum, is a slit-like space in the septum pellucidum that is present in fetuses but usually fuses during infancy.
What is the CSP in neuroanatomy?
61874. Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy. Cave of septum pellucidum seen on CT. The cave of septum pellucidum ( CSP ), cavum septi pellucidi, or cavity of septum pellucidum, is a slit-like space in the septum pellucidum that is present in fetuses but usually fuses during infancy.
What is the CSP in fetal brain?
CSP is a marker for fetal neural maldevelopment. The septum pellucidum is a thin, triangular, vertical membrane separating the anterior horns of the left and right lateral ventricles of the brain. It runs as a sheet from the corpus callosum down to the fornix.
What is the CSP fusion?
Fusion of the CSP is attributed to rapid development of the alvei of the hippocampus, amygdala, septal nuclei, fornix, corpus callosum and other midline structures. Lack of such limbic development interrupts this posterior-to-anterior fusion, resulting in preservation of the CSP into adulthood.
What is the name of the fluid that filters through the septal laminae?
In post-natal life, the laminae of the septum pellucidum usually fuse, which obliterates the cavum. The cavity contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that filters from the ventricles through the septal laminae.
What is CSP in psychology?
CSP is one of the distinguishing features of individuals displaying symptoms of dementia pugilistica ( chronic traumatic encephalopathy).
What is the width of the cavum septum pellucidum?
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.
What is the septum pellucidum?
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 ...
What is the term for virtual space with the contralateral septum?
Medially - Virtual space with the contralateral septum
What is the cavum septum pellucidum?
Cavum septum pellucidum is sometimes associated with the cavum vergae (CV). Septum pellucidum is laminated with thin vertical membrane separating right and left ventricle. It is basically cerebro spinal fluid filled between the area of septum pellucidum, common anatomical variation. It is present in normal fetus. It may also referred as 6th ventricle. Cavum vergae is the posterior extended portion of the cavum septum pellucidum, but it may somtime exist separately. Anteriorly it is cavum septum pellucidum, outside it is related to corpus callosum, superiorly it is related to the body of corpus callosum, inferiorly it is related to transevrese fornix.
When does the space in the cavum septum pellucidum close?
During fetal 12th week of development, space in cavum septum pellucidum forms and round about at 20th week this space starts to close, this closure ends at near birth. This fusion will lead to development of other brain portions. If this closure will not be on time, limbic development interrupts, preservation will be shown into adulthood.

Terminology
Epidemiology
- A cavum septum pellucidum is present in the normal fetus, but over 85% of them fuse by 3-6 months of age meaning that a cavum septum pellucidum persists in ~15% of the adult population.
Gross Anatomy
- The cavum septum pellucidum commonly occurs with, and is often confused with, the cavum vergae, which is situated posterior to the anterior columns of the fornix. During development, these spaces obliterate posteroanteriorly - the cavum vergae followed by the cavum septum pellucidum - and it is not uncommon that both occur together. 1. anterior: genu of the corpus cal…
History and Etymology
- Cavum septum pellucidum is a Latin term deriving from, 'cavum' meaning 'space', 'septum' meaning 'fence', and therefore a dividing structure, and 'pellucidus' meaning 'transparent'.
Related Pathology
- It has been loosely associated with 3-5: 1. schizophrenia 2. post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 3. chronic traumatic encephalopathy, e.g. in boxers However, an absent cavum septum pellucidum in antenatal imaging is a concerning feature and is associated with significant CNS anomalies 6.
Differential Diagnosis
Overview
The cave of septum pellucidum (CSP), cavum septi pellucidi, or cavity of septum pellucidum is a slit-like space in the septum pellucidum that is present in fetuses but usually fuses during infancy. The septum pellucidum is a thin, laminated translucent vertical membrane in the midline of the brain separating the anterior horns of the right and left ventricles. It lies posterior to the corpus callosum. Pe…
Cause
The cause of CSP is basically unknown, although it is thought that prenatal alcohol exposure plays a significant role.
Marker for fetal neural maldevelopment
CSP is a marker for fetal neural maldevelopment. The septum pellucidum is a thin, triangular, vertical membrane separating the anterior horns of the left and right lateral ventricles of the brain. It runs as a sheet from the corpus callosum down to the fornix. During fetal development at approximately the twelfth week of gestation, a space forms between two laminae, which is the CSP. At approximately the twentieth week of gestation, the laminae start to close. This closure e…
Association with mental disorders
CSP has been loosely associated with schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, as well as with antisocial personality disorder. CSP is one of the distinguishing features of individuals displaying symptoms of dementia pugilistica (chronic traumatic encephalopathy).
References in film
• In the 1990 film, Rocky V, a destitute Rocky Balboa visits a doctor before competing in any further boxing matches. A brain scan reveals that he has cavum septi pellucidi brought on by head trauma, especially after his last fight with Ivan Drago. His wife Adrian urges him to retire, and he reluctantly does so.
See also
• Cavum veli interpositi
External links
• Mypacs scan by Rolando Reyna, Radiologist, Hospital Santo Tomas, Panama. Good image, but text is incorrect and not referenced.