Resistance of the foramen of Monro

A greyhound dog model was used to study the importance of the foramen of Monro as a resistance element to the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Normal dogs had no pressure differential discernible despite the infusion of artificial CSF into one lateral ventricle. When CSF was withdrawn from one lateral ventricle, however, 7 of 10 dogs showed intraventricular pressure differentials at a steady state of 3.28-5.37 mm Hg. All normal dogs undergoing rapid bolus withdrawal of CSF from the ventricles developed pressure differentials. When these experiments were performed on hydrocephalic dogs, no pressure differential could be recorded. The foramen of Monro acts as a valve mechanisms that usually closes in response to CSF withdrawals.