Abstract: A catheter useful in draining cerebrospinal fluid from the ventricles of a brain. The catheter utilizes a series of holes arranged in a helical pattern at the forward or ventricular end portion of the catheter. Exterior grooves may be provided in the ventricular end of the catheter within which the holes are protectively sheltered from contact with surrounding ventricular tissue. The catheter, and particularly its ventricular end, may be capable of elastic elongation upon insertion of a rigid stylet within the catheter, the diameter of the ventricular end portion become reduced in response to its axial elongation to facilitate disengagement of the catheter with the surrounding ventricular tissue to permit the catheter to be withdrawn.