Brain ventricles. Coloured composite 3-D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scan of a brain in profile, showing the ventricles (purple). The front of the brain is at left. One of the paired thalami (orange) is seen below the ventricles. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulates in the ventricles and serves to cushion the brain and the spinal cord (not seen). The lateral ventricles connect to a small third ventricle (below front of thalami) that is between and below them. This leads down to the fourth ventricle (lower right) via the cerebral aqueduct.