Professional Documents
Culture Documents
There are four compartments inside the brain that house cerebrospinal fluid
(CSF)
Include
Two Lateral Ventricles
One third ventricle
One fourth ventricle
Lateral Ventricles
Lateral ventricles → 2 in number
Each positioned in one of the cerebral hemispheres,
Also called ventricles of the Telencephalon
Reason → Forebrain (Prosencephalon)
Two parts
Superficially: Cerebral hemispheres (telencephalon)
ⱺ The Cerebral cortex (grey matter present on surface of the brain)
Deep: diencephalon
Mn → Princess Dian surrounded by Telescopes.
The two Lateral ventricles open into the third ventricle via interventricular
foramina aka foramen of Monro.
Third Ventricle
The third ventricle is positioned in the midline between the two thalami.
It is the ventricle of the diencephalon.
The third ventricle communicates inferiorly with 4th ventricle via a duct
called Cerebral Aqueduct of Sylvius
the cerebral aqueduct is only an inferior extension of the third ventricle
it is not itself a ventricle.
Lies in cavity of mesencephalon(midbrain) → mcq
o Fourth Ventricle →
The cerebral aqueduct of Sylvius opens into the fourth ventricle,
It is ventricle of the rhombencephalon → primitive term for hindbrain
Fourth ventricle → rhombus-shaped
This is reason for etymology for the name of hindbrain as
rhombencephalon.
Located on the posterior aspect of the pons + medulla oblongata, BUT
anterior to the cerebellum → therefore it is in between these two.
Upper Anterior half posterior to pons
Lower Anterior half posterior to medulla
The fourth ventricle opens into the subarachnoid space via two foramina
Foramen of Magendie → opens posteriorly → into the subarachnoid space.
Foramen of Luschka → opens laterally → into the subarachnoid space.
Deets → 4th ventricle expands laterally as recesses.
Lateral recesses ends as foramen of Luschka.
The fourth ventricle is also continuous inferiorly with the spinal canal.
Spinal canal terminate in a slight dilation known as the terminal
ventricle.
The tela choroidea produce a filtrate of the plasma into the extravascular
space.
This fluid then comes in contact with ependymal cells of Choroid
Plexus.
Ependymal cells make some modifications to this filtrate & convert this
filtrate into CSF
CSF is released by ependymal cells into the ventricles.
Process
The ependymal cells contains active Na+ transporters.
As Na+ ions is actively secreted into the ventricular system it also
transports the fluid across the ependymal epithelial layer.
Cl- ions and water passively follow Na+ ions from capillaries into CSF.
Glucose is also transported via glucose transporters in ependymal cells
but inefficiently. Thus, CSF has a glucose concentration of about 66%
than that of capillary plasma.
K+ anions are transported in reverse → (from CSF to capillaries).
Circulation of CSF
CSF is secreted as follows
Choroid plexus in lateral ventricles are the main site of production of CSF.
CSF from Lateral ventricles flows into third ventricle via foramina of
Monro
From Third ventricle into to fourth ventricle. via cerebral aqueduct of
Sylvius
From the fourth ventricle it goes two ways
Circulates into the spinal canal.
Enters into the subarachnoid space via Foramina of Magendie &
Foramen of Luschka,
Arachnoid Cisterns
Normally Pia matter and Arachnoid matter closely attached together.
At some points of sub arachnoid spaces – the pia mater and
arachnoid mater are not closely attached.
Because of this loosening, there is a slight bulge in the sub arachnoid
space in between these meningeal layers & they shows a bulge /
swellings at these points.
CSF pools in these areas (present in greater amount). These swelled
areas with ↑ CSF in the subarachnoid space are called Arachnoid
cisterns or Cisterns.
Two important cisterns are located where the CSF enters from Ventricular
system into the sub arachnoid space.
Foramina of Luschka open laterally at cerebellopontine cistern →
located at junction of cerebellum and pons Not in Img
The foramen of Magendie opens into the cerebello-medullary
cistern aka Cistern magna→ located at junction of cerebellum and
medulla
Cistern magna → largest cistern
OLD CSF passes from the subarachnoid space into the dural venous
sinuses via Arachnoid villi.
Deoxygenated venous blood of cranial cavity also drain into dural
venous sinuses (veins open in to dural venous sinus)
All the Dural Venous Sinus are interconnected and ultimately drain into
Internal Jugular Vein
IJV drain into SVC
SVC drain in RA
For CSF to drain from the Subarachnoid space into the Superior
sagittal sinus, the pressure in the subarachnoid space must exceed
that of the Superior Sagittal Sinus by 1.5 mm Hg. This pressure
difference prevents backflow of CSF from the dural venous sinus into the
subarachnoid space.
Greater pressure differences results in greater rates of out flow.
If the pressure difference falls below 1.5 mm Hg → the arachnoid
granulations and villi are compressed, and CSF will NOT drain from
subarachnoid space to the superior sagittal sinus.
In cases of brain atrophy, e.g., with old age, brain volume decrease, -
CSF volume increase to fill the extra space in order to function
effectively as a cushion.
Functions as a vehicle for metabolic exchange, and is akin to the
circulatory system of the brain; the pia mater does not pose a significant
barrier between the brain substance and the CSF, and metabolic
substances diffuse freely across it.
Medium of Exchange → The capacity of the circulatory system to
nourish the brain is less than optimal in brain because of the existence of
the blood-brain barrier, which limits the diffusion of substances across
brain capillaries. This is because the capillaries in brain have continuous
tight junctions which allow very little fluid to enter.
CSF acts as a vehicle for metabolic exchange, and is akin (just like) to
the circulatory system of the brain → CSF nourishes the brain more than
blood nourishes the brain because
ECF of brain & CSF have almost same composition
ECF of brain & CSF are freely exchangeable.
CSF provides nourishment to Brain as CSF itself get its supply from
capillaries which then undergo modification by ependymal cells.
The CSF aids in removal of metabolic waste products from the brain
by draining such substances into the blood at site of dural venous
sinuses
The CSF is produced by the choroid plexus which is not subject to the
blood brain barrier.
Signaling Medium → The CSF aids in the transport and circulation of
signaling hormones intracranially
For instance, Melatonin secreted by the pineal gland, circulates
through the CSF to regulate activity of the pituitary gland.
o
o
Properties of CSF
CSF → transcellular fluid → mcq
Density / specific gravity of CSF → 1.0001 to 1.0005 g/ml → mcq
pH of blood = pH of CSF.
About 550 ml of CSF is produced daily.
Mn → bachpan or pachpan
However, the total capacity of the ventricular system +
subarachnoid space →130 ml.
Mn → 13 x 4 = almost 55
Thus, the CSF is replaced three to four times per day.
If this volume is NOT removed from the ventricular system →
excessive pressure builds up.
The maximum volume of CSF that can be withdrawn safely in LP is about
30 ml.
I am 30 years old.
Normal pressure of CSF → 60 -160 mm of H2O.
Mn → Shoaib Akhtar 60 se 160 kmh
Pyogenic Tuberculo
meningitis us Subarachn
Viral
(caused by non- meningiti oid Autoimmu
Normal values meningi
tuberculous s– hemorrhag ne Disease
tis
bacteria) Chronic e
Acute bacterial Bacterial
Appearan Xanthochromia
Turbid fluid.
ce of Yellow, turbid fluid (clear, yellow fluid)
Fibrin web Clear, Clear, colorless
fluid Clear, colorless fluid Turbid → not due to bilirubin
may be colorless fluid fluid
crystal clear produced by
observed.
heme degradation
Neutrophils Slightly raised
0 cells / cm3 High* Since neutrophils Slightly raised High Absent
cells of acute Inf
Lymphocyte
< 5 cells / cm3 Slightly raised High* High* High Absent
s
RBCs 0 cells/ cm3 Absent Absent Absent High Absent
Glucose 66% of capillary plasma
glucose concentration. < 50% < 50% > 50%
Equal to
Capillary plasma glucose capillary capillary capillary
capillary Normal
must be taken at the same plasma plasma plasma
plasma glucose
time to glucose ** glucose ** glucose
assess normal values.
Proteins 0.4 g/L in CSF fluid. 1000 mg/dL 1000 Raised, but Equal to Raised due to
(70-80 g/L in due to ↑ mg/dL due < 1000mg/dL capillary immunoglobulin
plasma) microcirculati to *** plasma protein s
on exudate
permeability
→ exudate
*Rule → Neutrophils raised in acute infection — Lymphocytes are raised in Viral infections + Chronic infections
** Bacteria love glucose, so they consume it.
*** Viruses typically do not ↑ microcirculation permeability
Downloaded by Sarah yousafxai (sarahkhanyousafxai@gmail.com)
lOMoARcPSD|37282403
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus → excess accumulation of CSF in
Intracranially in the ventricular system,
Subarachnoid space
Both.
Causes
↑ production
Rare cause
Due to tumor of choroid plexus
↑ production only 1 cause.
Abnormal circulation of CSF → common cause
Reduced drainage of CSF → common cause
Non-Communicating Hydrocephalus
Obstruction that occurs at or above the level of the openings of the
fourth ventricle
Result → CSF cannot enter into the sub arachnoid space →
Communicating Hydrocephalus
Obstruction at any level after the CSF has drained out of the fourth
ventricle into the subarachnoid space OR Impaired CSF reabsorption
by arachnoid villi in dural venous Sinus.
When CSF is not reabsorbed by Arachnoid villi → Normal Pressure
Hydrocephalus ( discussed ahead)
Communicating Hydrocephalus results in minimal enlargement of
the ventricles.
Causes →
Tuberculous meningitis
Obstruction of the subarachnoid space near the base of the brain,
in
After meningitis is cured, healing process involves fibrosis → forms
lateral adhesions within the subarachnoid space walls →
Result → permanent obstruction of flow of CSF within subarachnoid
space.
Hemorrhage in the Subarachnoid space
Recall → Cerebral arteries + cerebral veins are present within the
sub arachnoid space.
If hemorrhage occurs in any of the cerebral vessel → RBCs leak into
CSF → RBCs obstruct the CSF outflow from arachnoid villi
CSF reabsorption decreased → ↑ CSF in subarachnoid space →
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.
Inflammation
WBCs and necrotic tissue due to meningitis and encephalitis, result
in subsequent fibrosis
Result → permanent obstruction of flow of CSF within subarachnoid
space.
Normal pressure hydrocephalus
NPH → def → hydrocephalus that happens because CSF is not
absorbed by arachnoid villi.
CSF begins to rise slowly & chronically.
With chronicity the brain atrophies to the extent that a raised CSF
pressure cannot be measured.
Normal pressure hydrocephalus results in classic Triad of
Dementia,
Abnormal gait and
Loss of control of the external urinary sphincter leading to
incontinence (Wacky, Wobbly and Wet).
Thrombus
Thrombus in any Dural venous sinus result in raised dural
venous sinus pressure and compression of the arachnoid villi →
Results → dec CSF reabsorption → ↑ CSF in subarachnoid space → Normal
pressure Hydrocephalus.
Tumors
Recall → All dural venous sinuses ultimately drain into Internal
jugular vein
IJV obstruction due to tumour results dec CSF outflow + ↑ CSF in
subarachnoid space → Hydrocephalus.