Cerebrospinal

Liquor and its circula3on

Cerebrospinal uid (CSF)

Is a clear bodily uid that occupies the subarachnoid space and the ventricular system around and inside the brain and spinal cord. It cons3tutes the content of all intra-cerebral (inside the brain, cerebrum) ventricles, cisterns, and sulci (singular sulcus), as well as the central canal of the spinal cord. Acts as a "cushion" or buer for the cortex, providing a basic mechanical and immunological protec3on to the brain inside the skull. It is produced in the choroid plexus.

Amount
The CSF is produced in the choroid plexus at a rate of 500 ml/day. Since the brain can contain only from 135 to 150 ml, it is drained into the blood stream through arachnoid granula3ons in the superior sagiOal sinus. Thus the CFS uid is replaced two to four 3mes daily.

Cons3tu3on
0.3% plasma proteins 2 to 5 lympocytes/ml There are quan3ta3ve dierences in the distribu3ons of a number of proteins in the CSF. Globular proteins and albumins are in lower concentra3on in ventricular CSF compared to lumbar or cisternal uid. CSF pressure ranges from 4.47.3 mmHg

Func3on of CNF
Buoyancy: The actual mass of the human brain is about 1400 grams; however the net weight of the brain suspended in the CSF is equivalent to a mass of 25 grams. The brain therefore exists in neutral buoyancy, which allows the brain to maintain its density without being impaired by its own weight. Protec3on: The CSF protects the brain 3ssue from injury when jolted or hit. In certain situa3ons such as automobile accidents or sports injuries, the CSF cannot protect the brain from forced contact with the skull case, causing hemorrhaging, brain damage, and some3mes death.

 Chemical Stability: The CSF rinses the metabolic waste that enters the central nervous system through the blood-brain barrier. This allows for homeosta3c regula3on of the distribu3on of neuroendocrine factors, to which even slight changes can cause problems or damage to the nervous system. For example, high glycine concentra3on disrupts temperature and blood pressure control, and high CSF pH causes dizziness and syncope(loss of consciousness). Preven3on of brain ischemia: The preven3on of brain ischemia is made by decreasing the amount of CSF in the limited space inside the skull. This decreases total intracranial pressure and facilitates blood perfusion (the process of nutri3ve delivery of arterial blood to a capillary bed in the biological 3ssue).

Choroid Plexus
Site of CFS produc3on It is present in all components of the ventricular system except for the cerebral aqueduct and the occipital & frontal horns of the lateral ventricles. The choroid plexus consists of many capillaries, separated from the ventricles by choroid epithelial cells(ion-transpor3ng epithelium).

CFS Circula3on
It ows from the lateral ventricles into the third ventricle, and there through the aqueduct into the forth ventricle. Here it passes though the median and lateral apertures into the external cerebrospinal uid spaces. Drainage of the CFS occurs partly in the arachnoid granula3ons that protrude into the venous sinuses or lateral lacunae, and partly at the exits of the spinal nerves where the uid enters into the dense venous plexuses and into the nerve sheaths (drainage into lympa3c circula3on).