ABSTRACT
The authors had studied the microsurgical anatomy of the choroidal fissure and the operative approaches directed through the fissure. In this study, eight formalin-fixed cadaveric hemisheres were examined. In four hemispheres, the intracranial vessels were perfused with colored silicone latex. The choroidal fissure is divided into three portion : (a) body portion, (b) atrial portion, and (c) temporal portion. Dissection through the body portion of the choroidal fissure exposes the velum interpositum, internal cerebral vein, and third ventricle. The quadrigeminal cistern, pineal region, and posterior part of the ambient cistern can be exposed through the atrial portion of the choroidal fissure. Opening through the temporal portion of the choroidal fissure exposes the structures in the ambient cistern, which include the basal vein, posterior cerebral artery, anterior and lateral posterior choroidal arteries, and hippocampal formation. This study provides valuable knowledges of microsurgical approaches to the third ventricle and basal cistern by demonstrating the neural nd vascular relaionship around the choroidal fissure.