Surface features of the ependymal lining of the third ventricle in mature male and female monkeys have been investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM); Broad aspects of third ventricular morphology from three species of monkey are similar regardless of sex. The lateral walls are heavily ciliated whereas the ventral floor and most ventral parts of the lateral walls are not. Clumps of cilia on the lateral walls are so dense that underlying surface details are usually obscured. There is a transition zone between the ciliated lateral wall and nonciliated ventral floor. The floor and lower part of the lateral walls of the third ventricule exhibit a characteristic polygonal pattern upon which surface specializations such as microvilli, blebs and polymorphous membrane protrusions are superimposed. Ependyma of the choroid plexus of the third ventricle also display membrane specializations. Supraependymal cells are more visible in nonciliated regions.