Cerebrospinal fluid

cerebrospinal

 [ser″ĕ-bro-spi´nal]

pertaining to the brain and spinal cord.

cerebrospinal fluid the fluid within the subarachnoid space, the central canal of the spinal cord, and the four ventricles of the brain. The fluid is formed continuously by the choroid plexus in the ventricles, and, so that there will not be an abnormal increase in amount and pressure, it is reabsorbed into the blood by the arachnoid villi at approximately the same rate at which it is produced.

The cerebrospinal fluid aids in the protection of the brain, spinal cord, and meninges by acting as a watery cushion surrounding them to absorb the shocks to which they are exposed. There is a blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier that prevents harmful substances, such as metal poisons, some pathogenic organisms, and certain drugs from passing from the capillaries into the cerebrospinal fluid.

The normal cerebrospinal fluid pressure is 5 mm Hg (100 mm H₂O) when the individual is lying in a horizontal position on his side. Fluid pressure may be increased by a brain tumor or by hemorrhage or infection in the cranium. hydrocephalus, or excess fluid in the cranial cavity, can result from either excessive formation or poor absorption of cerebrospinal fluid. Blockage of the flow of fluid in the spinal canal may result from a tumor, blood clot, or severance of the spinal cord. The pressure remains normal or decreases below the point of obstruction but increases above that point.

Cell counts, bacterial smears, and cultures of samples of cerebrospinal fluid are done when an inflammatory process or infection of the meninges is suspected. Since the cerebrospinal fluid contains nutrient substances such as glucose, proteins, and sodium chloride, and also some waste products such as urea, it is believed to play a role in metabolism. The major constituents of cerebrospinal fluid are water, glucose, sodium chloride, and protein. Information about changes in their concentrations is helpful in diagnosis of brain diseases.

Samples of cerebrospinal fluid may be obtained by lumbar puncture, in which a hollow needle is inserted between two lumbar vertebrae (below the lower end of the spinal cord), or into the cisterna cerebellomedullaris just below the occipital bone of the skull (cisternal puncture). Pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid is measured by a manometer attached to the end of the needle after it has been inserted.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

cer·e·bro·spi·nal flu·id (CSF),

[TA]

a fluid largely secreted by the choroid plexuses of the ventricles of the brain, filling the ventricles and the subarachnoid cavities of the brain and spinal cord.

Synonym(s): liquor cerebrospinalis [TA]

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

cerebrospinal fluid

n.

The serumlike fluid that circulates through the ventricles of the brain, the cavity of the spinal cord, and the subarachnoid space, functioning in shock absorption. Also called spinal fluid.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

cerebrospinal fluid

Spinal fluid Neurology A clear, colorless fluid that contains small quantities of glucose and protein, which surrounds the brain, spinal cord, ventricles, subarachnoid space, and the central canal of the spinal cord, provides nutrients, and acts as a shock absorber; CSF analysis is accomplished by lumbar puncture; WBCs or bacteria in the CSF indicate bacterial–septic meningitis. See Lumbar puncture.

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

cer·e·bro·spi·nal flu·id

(CSF) (ser'ĕ-brō-spī'năl flū'id) [TA]

A fluid largely secreted by the choroid plexuses of the ventricles of the brain, filling the ventricles and the subarachnoid cavities of the brain and spinal cord.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

cerebrospinal fluid

The watery fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord and also circulates within the ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the cord.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

a solution secreted by the CHOROID PLEXUSES (one in the roof of each of the four brain VENTRICLES (2) in man) which fills the cavity of the brain and SPINAL CORD and the space between the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM and its ensheathing membrane. It contains most of the small molecules found in blood, e.g. salts and glucose, but little protein and few cells, and serves as a nutritive medium. In humans the total volume is about 100 cm³.

Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Fluid produced within the brain for nutrient transport and structural purposes. CSF circulates through the ventricles, open spaces within the brain, and drains through the membranes surrounding the brain.

Mentioned in: Brain Tumor, Central Nervous System Infections, Congenital Brain Defects, Cryptococcosis, Hydrocephalus, Lyme Disease, Ophthalmoplegia, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Ventricular Shunt

Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

cer·e·bro·spi·nal flu·id

(CSF) (ser'ĕ-brō-spī'năl flū'id) [TA]

A fluid largely secreted by the choroid plexuses of the ventricles of the brain, filling the ventricles and the subarachnoid cavities of the brain and spinal cord.

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012