Cerobrospinal Fluid

What is CSF
• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear, colorless liquid that protects the brain and
spinal cord from chemical and physical injuries.

• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is the clear, colorless and transparent fluid that circulates
through ventricles of brain, subarachnoid space and central canal of spinal.

• Functions of CNS
1. Providing optimum environment to neurons

2. Protection

3. Regulation of Cranial Content Volume

 Properties and composition of cerebrospinal fluid

• Properties
• Volume : 150 mL (100 mL to 200 mL)
• Rate of formation : 0.3 mL per minute
• Specific gravity : 1.005
• Reaction : Alkaline.
 Formation of CSF in the Ventricles
• The sites of CSF production are the choroid plexuses in the walls of the ventricles.

• The capillaries are covered by ependymal cells that form cerebrospinal fluid from blood
plasma by filtration and secretion.

• Because the ependymal cells are joined by tight junctions, materials entering CSF from
choroid capillaries cannot leak between these cells called blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier

• permits certain substances to enter the CSF but excludes others,

• The CSF flows into the third ventricle through two narrow, oval openings, the
interventricular foramina

• More CSF is added by the choroid plexus in the roof of the third ventricle.

• The fluid then flows through the aqueduct of the midbrain (cerebral aqueduct).

• The choroid plexus of the fourth ventricle contributes more fluid.

• CSF enters the subarachnoid space through three openings in the roof of then
fourth ventricle:
• a median aperture and the paired lateral apertures, one on each side.
• CSF then circulates in the central canal of the spinal cord and in the
subarachnoid space around the surface of the brain and spinal cord.

• CSF is gradually reabsorbed into the blood through arachnoid villi

Formation, circulation and absorption of CSF