Magendie and Luschka: Holes in the 4th ventricle

ABSTRACT Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a complex liquid formed mainly by the choroid plexuses. After filling the ventricular system where it circulates, CSF flows out to the subarachnoid spaces through openings in the 4th ventricle. Following numerous studies on CSF pathways, these openings were first discovered in the 19th century by two notable researchers, François Magendie and Hubert von Luschka, who described the median and lateral openings subsequently named after them. Even after the studies of Axel Key and Gustav Magnus Retzius confirming these openings, their existence was questioned by many anatomists, yet acknowledged by others. Finally gaining the acceptance of all, recognition of the holes endures to the present day. Interest in these openings may be attributed to the several congenital or acquired pathological conditions that may affect them, usually associated with hydrocephalus. We report some historical aspects of these apertures and their discoverers.

摘要：脑脊液（cerebrobrospinal fluid, CSF）是一类由脉络丛主要分泌生成的复杂体液。脑脊液充盈脑室系统并在其中循环后，经第四脑室的开孔流入蛛网膜下腔。在针对脑脊液循环通路开展大量研究后，这类开孔于19世纪由两位知名学者——弗朗索瓦·马让迪（François Magendie）与于贝尔·冯·吕施卡（Hubert von Luschka）——首次发现，二人描述了正中孔与外侧孔，此后该类孔道便以二人的姓氏命名。即便在阿克塞尔·基（Axel Key）与古斯塔夫·马格努斯·勒特修斯（Gustav Magnus Retzius）证实这类开孔存在后，仍有众多解剖学家对其真实性提出质疑，但也有学者认可其存在。直至这类孔道最终获得学界的广泛认可，其学术地位延续至今。学界对这类开孔的研究兴趣，可归因于多种可能累及它们的先天性或获得性病理状态，此类病变通常与脑积水相关。本文就这类孔道及其发现者的相关历史要点展开阐述。