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Subependymal zone
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<p>The subependymal zone (SEZ) is a cell layer below the <a href="/facts/Ependyma/eyHxnkyt">ependyma</a> in the <a href="/facts/Lateral_ventricles/gwTt9Voz">lateral ventricles</a> of the brain. It is an adult version of the embryonic forebrain <a href="/facts/Germinal_matrix/VGTmlsY3">germinal zone</a>. This region contains adult <a href="/facts/Stem_cells/qgB9dFrI">neural stem cells</a> also called <a href="/facts/Neuroepithelial_cell/qhXkvTmJ">neuroepithelial cells</a> which have the potential to generate new <a href="/facts/Neurons/G7CyTVdH">neurons</a> and <a href="/facts/Glial_cells/F8BhPmaA">glial cells</a>. The generation of neurons and glial cells from neuroepithelial cells occurs via <a href="/facts/Neurogenesis/XSteTv8s">neurogenesis</a> and <a href="/facts/Gliogenesis/HNeFG1zX">gliogenesis</a>, respectively. In adults, the subependymal zone is also called the <a href="/facts/Subventricular_zone/o9Jv3pA1">subventricular zone</a> as the ependymal cell layer forms the boundary between the fluid-filled ventricular space and the walls of the lateral ventricles. </p><p>Ilias Kazanis at the University of Cambridge compares the subependymal zone to a beating heart which "continuously sends new cells to different areas of the brain neurons to the olfactory bulbs and glial cells to the cortex and the corpus callosum." </p><p>The subependymal zone is a region that may be affected by <a href="/facts/Subependymal_giant_cell_astrocytoma/yzS1lrdj">subependymal giant cell astrocytomas</a> in people with <a href="/facts/Tuberous_sclerosis/nKQgVa2h">tuberous sclerosis</a>. </p>