CSF (Cerebrospinal fluid)

                                    CSF (Cerebrospinal fluid)

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear, colorless body fluid found in the brain and spinal cord. It is produced by specialized ependymal cells in the choroid plexuses of the ventricles of the brain, and absorbed in the arachnoid granulations.

Meaning of CSF (Cerebrospinal fluid)

Medical Definition of Cerebrospinal fluid

 

Cerebrospinal fluid: A watery fluid that is continuously produced and absorbed and that flows in the ventricles within the brain and around the surface of the brain and spinal cord. Abbreviated CSF. ... The CSF obtained during a lumbar puncture is analyzed to detect disease.

 

Function of CSF

Cerebrospinal fluid has three main functions: 

1.    CSF protects brain and spinal cord from trauma. 

2.    CSF supplies nutrients to nervous system tissue. 

3.    CSF removes waste products from cerebral metabolism.

 

Important of CSF

 

While the primary function of CSF is to cushion the brain within the skull and serve as a shock absorber for the central nervous system, CSF also circulates nutrients and chemicals filtered from the blood and removes waste products from the brain.

 

Helps CSF Human bodys

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced from arterial blood by the choroid plexuses of the lateral and fourth ventricles by a combined process of diffusion, pinocytosis and active transfer. A small amount is also produced by ependymal cells.

 

CSF flows from the lateral ventricle to the third ventricle through the interventricular foramen (also called the foramen of Monro). The third ventricle and fourth ventricle are connected to each other by the cerebral aqueduct (also called the Aqueduct of Sylvius).

 

CSF leak dangerous

On occasion, as a result of a skull fracture, weakness of the brain covering (dura), intracranial surgery or growth of a brain tumor, CSF may leak through the brain covering. This is a potentially dangerous condition that can lead to an infection of the CSF (meningitis) or of the brain itself (brain abscess).

 

What are normal CSF values?

Normal Results

      I.        CSF total protein: 15 to 60 mg/100 mL. Gamma globulin: 3% to 12% of the total protein.

    II.        CSF glucose: 50 to 80 mg/100 mL (or greater than two thirds of blood sugar level)

   III.        CSF cell count: 0 to 5 white blood cells (all mononuclear), and no red blood cells.

 

Comparison of serum and cerebrospinal fluid
Substance	CSF	Serum
Water Content (%)	99	93
Protein (mg/dL)	35	7000
Glucose (mg/dL)	60	90
Osmolarity (mOsm/L)	295	295
Sodium (mEq/L)	138	138
Potassium (mEq/L)	2.8	4.5
Calcium (mEq/L)	2.1	4.8
Magnesium (mEq/L)	2.0–2.5[15]	1.7
Chloride (mEq/L)	119	102
pH	7.33	7.41

 

 

inflammation, or injury. A blockage in the flow of spinal fluid can cause the rapid buildup of protein in the lower spinal area.

 

Can you live without CSF?

No, you can not live without a spinal column. It is made up of many vertebrae, which are special types of bones, arranged in a column, so it can also be referred as a vertebral column.

 

What does high protein in CSF mean?

An abnormal protein level in the CSF suggests a problem in the central nervous system. Increased protein level may be a sign of a tumor, bleeding, nerve inflammation, or injury. A blockage in the flow of spinal fluid can cause the rapid buildup of protein in the lower spinal area.

 

 

What does high glucose in CSF indicate?

Chemical meningitis, inflammatory conditions, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and hypoglycemia also cause hypoglycorrhachia (low glucose level in CSF). Elevated levels of glucose in the blood is the only cause of having an elevated CSF glucose level.

 

What causes high lymphocytes in CSF?

The term "Aseptic Meningitis" denotes a clinical syndrome with a predominance of lymphocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), with no common bacterial agents identified in the CSF. Viral meningitis is considered the main cause of lymphocyte meningitis. There are other etiologies of an infectious nature.

Where does CSF drain?

CSF is mainly secreted by the choroid plexus and, to a lesser extent, by the interstitial compartment. It circulates rostrocaudally inside the ventricles and drains into the cerebellomedullary cistern (cisterna magna) through the median aperture (foramen of Magendie) of the fourth ventricle.