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Cerebral Spinal Fluid - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 14:44, 6 March 2011
, 14:44, 6 March 2011→Cerebrospinal Fluid Function
==Cerebrospinal Fluid Function==
==Cerebrospinal Fluid Function==
[[Image:caninelateralventricles.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Canine dilated lateral ventricles. RVC, 2008]]
[[Image:caninelateralventricles.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Canine dilated lateral ventricles. RVC, 2008]]
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) helps cushion the central nervous system (CNS), acting in a similar manner to a shock absorber. It also acts as a chemical buffer providing immunological protection and a transport system for waste products and nutrients. The CSF also provides bouyancy
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounds the brain as well as the central canal of the spinal cord. It helps cushion the central nervous system (CNS), acting in a similar manner to a shock absorber. It also acts as a chemical buffer providing immunological protection and a transport system for waste products and nutrients. The CSF also provides buoyancy to the soft neural tissues which effectively allows the neural tissue to "float" in the CSF. This prevents the brain tissue from becoming deformed under its own weight.
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==CSF Production==
CSF is a clear fluid produced by dialysis of blood in the ''choroid plexus''. Choroid plexuses are found in each lateral ventricle and a pair are found in the third and fourth ventricle. Further production also comes from the ependymal cell linings and vessels within the pia mater.
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It consists of epithilium associated with the underlying pia mater and produces CSF from blood plasma.
* It circulates from the choroid plexus through the interventricular foramina into the 3rd ventricle, and then through the cerebral aqueduct (aqueduct of Sylvius) into the 4th ventricle before flowing through the cerebromedullary cistern down the spinal cord and over the cerebral hemispheres.
* It circulates from the choroid plexus through the interventricular foramina into the 3rd ventricle, and then through the cerebral aqueduct (aqueduct of Sylvius) into the 4th ventricle before flowing through the cerebromedullary cistern down the spinal cord and over the cerebral hemispheres.
* Most CSF escapes from the ventricular system at the hindbrain foramen of Luschka.
* Most CSF escapes from the ventricular system at the hindbrain foramen of Luschka.