Featured Model

3D Printable Human Brain Ventricle Model

Welcome to the Brain ventricles model page. Here you can download the full 3D model of the human brain ventricles.

About this Model

This model represents the ventricular system of the human brain. The ventricles are interconnected, fluid-filled spaces within the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The model was created from human MRI scan data and consists of four separate 3D models representing the major ventricular structures.

Included Structures

  • Left lateral ventricle
  • Right lateral ventricle
  • Third ventricle
  • Fourth ventricle

The ventricles are provided as separate STL files, allowing each structure to be downloaded and printed individually.

The model represents the ventricles themselves rather than a complete brain surrounding the ventricular system.

3D Printing Instructions

Files & Software

File format: STL

The model is available as four separate STL files, one for each ventricle.

Available files

  • left_lateral_ventricle-4_NIH3D.stl
  • right_lateral_ventricle-43 (1)_NIH3D.stl
  • third_ventricle-24 (1)_NIH3D.stl
  • fourth_ventricle-15_NIH3D.stl
Recommended Print Settings
Material
PLA
Nozzle
0.4 mm
Layer height
0.12–0.20 mm
Walls / Perimeters
2–3
Infill
10–20%
Supports
Enable where required
Brim
Consider using a brim if the model has a small contact area with the build plate.

For a teaching model where anatomical detail is important, a 0.12–0.16 mm layer height is a good starting point.

Use STL format when preparing the model for 3D printing.

Choosing Your Print

All Four Ventricles

Print all four STL files separately to create a complete physical representation of the ventricular system.

Recommended for:

  • Anatomy teaching
  • Neuroscience demonstrations
  • Demonstrating the relationship between the different ventricles
Lateral Ventricles

Print only the left and right lateral ventricles. These are the largest components of the ventricular system and can be useful as individual anatomical models.

Recommended for:

  • Basic anatomy teaching
  • Demonstrating ventricular asymmetry
  • Initial test prints
Individual Ventricle

Each STL can be printed separately when you want to demonstrate a particular ventricular structure without printing the entire system.

Files & Software

  • Download the STL file or files you want to print from the NIH 3D model page.
  • Use a slicer such as OrcaSlicer, PrusaSlicer, Bambu Studio, SuperSlicer or Cura.
  • Before slicing, check the model's orientation, dimensions, scale and support requirements.
  • Rotate the model to achieve the most stable printing orientation.
  • Add supports where necessary, particularly around steep overhangs or sections with insufficient contact with the build plate.
  • Preview the sliced layers carefully before starting the print.

Left and Right Lateral Ventricles

  • Orient the model so that the largest stable surface is closest to the build plate.
  • Inspect narrow projections carefully in the slicer.
  • Use supports where unsupported regions are identified.
  • A smaller layer height can help preserve curved anatomical features.

Third Ventricle

  • Consider printing it at a larger scale when used for teaching.
  • Use a smaller layer height to preserve fine details.
  • Check the first few layers carefully for adequate bed adhesion.

Fourth Ventricle

  • The fourth ventricle has a complex shape and may require support depending on its orientation.
  • Test the model orientation in the slicer before printing.
  • Enable supports for unsupported overhangs.
  • Use a brim if the model has insufficient contact with the print bed.

Recommended Printing Approach

Starting with one lateral ventricle allows you to test orientation, scale, support settings and overall print quality.

  1. 1Start with one of the lateral ventricles rather than printing all four at once.
  2. 2Print the opposite lateral ventricle.
  3. 3Print the third ventricle.
  4. 4Print the fourth ventricle.
  5. 5Display the four structures together as a representation of the ventricular system.

Scaling the Model

  1. 1Import the STL into your slicer.
  2. 2Check its current dimensions.
  3. 3Increase the scale if necessary.
  4. 4Make sure the thinnest sections are thick enough for your printer to reproduce reliably.
  5. 5Preview the sliced layers to ensure that small anatomical features are not being lost.
  • If the model is being used alongside a full-size brain model, scale the ventricles so that they correspond approximately to the same anatomical scale as the brain.