Cerebrospinal

Fluid
 Introduction
• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear, colourless, protein free
filtrate of blood
• Present around the brain & spinal cord as well as inside the
brain and spinal cord (Ventricles & Central canal)
• Normal Volume: 125ml – 150 ml
• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounds and cushions the brain &
spinal cord
• Has the same density as brain
• Brain floats in CSF
• Rate of secretion 500ml/day
 Formation

• Formed from the epithelial cells of choroid plexus

• Specialised structures in the walls of the ventricles

• CSF is formed as the ependymal cells of choroid plexus transport

selective materials from blood into ventricular cavity

• Transport mechanisms secrete Na+, Cl-, HCO3- & water into CSF

• Move K+ from CSF to blood

• Proteins and cholesterol are excluded due to their large size.

• Normal pressure of the CSF in supine – 150mm of water

• Higher in sitting posture

• Specific gravity- 1.007

• pH- 7.33
Flow of CSF

Once formed, flows through 4 interconnected ventricles of brain &

through spinal cords narrow central canal

Also flows through the subarachnoid space and flows between the
meningeal layers over the entire surface of the brain & spinal cord

From the upper regions of brain, from the subarachnoid space CSF
is absorbed in to the venous blood via arachnoid villi
Flow of CSF

Foramen of
Foramen of Monroe Aqueduct of Sylvius Majendie & Luschka

Subarachnoid
Lateral Third Fourth space around
Ventricle Ventricle Ventricle brain & Spinal
cord
 Functions
• Provides a controlled environment for the brain cells
• Protects it from endogenous and exogenous toxins
• Optimum environment for neurons
• Functions to prevent escape of local neurotransmitters into the
general circulation.
• Absorb shock
• Prevent brain from bumping against interior of the skull during
jerky movement of the head
• Exchange of materials between neural cells & brain interstitial fluid
• Fulfils the role of lymphatics which are absent in the brain
CSF Analysis

• To test for diseases like

• Meningitis, Multiple sclerosis, Guillain Barre Syndrome, Leukaemia
• Alzheimer's
• CSF needs to be analysed
• Lumbar puncture
• Between L3& L4 or L4 & L5
• Lumbar puncture can also help to estimate CSF Pressure