Cerebrospinal fluid

This clear, water-like fluid forms, for the most part, within the brain, more specifically inside the ventriclesThe brain is not an entirely solid organ. There are chambers within the brain, referred to as ventricles or, more correctly, cerebral ventricles, to distinguish them from the ventricles of the heart. They represent the remnants of the central canal of the developing central nervous system, although they have taken on a much more complex shape than the original embryonic structure. There are four in total, one each side of the midline (referred to as the lateral ventricles) and two more, in the midline, referred to as the third and fourth ventricles, albeit often using Roman numerals. of the brain. Blood flows through structures inside the ventriclesThe brain is not an entirely solid organ. There are chambers within the brain, referred to as ventricles or, more correctly, cerebral ventricles, to distinguish them from the ventricles of the heart. They represent the remnants of the central canal of the developing central nervous system, although they have taken on a much more complex shape than the original embryonic structure. There are four in total, one each side of the midline (referred to as the lateral ventricles) and two more, in the midline, referred to as the third and fourth ventricles, albeit often using Roman numerals., called the choroid plexuses, and clear fluid is produced as a result, passing into the ventricle. This process is akin to blood flowing through the kidneys and urine being produced as a result. An important difference is that, unlike urine, the cerebrospinal fluid is not passed out of the body periodically. Instead, the fluid is re-absorbed back into the blood stream, mostly via the arachnoid granulationsOut-pouching of arachnoid material (or tissue) into the superior sagittal sinus. They form a principal route via which cerebrospinal fluid is absorbed back into the bloodstream., into the cerebral venous sinusesBlood enters the brain through four arteries, one on each side of the midline at the front of the neck and another pair at the back of the neck. Having supplied oxygen and nutrients to the brain, the blood then flows into a system of draining veins, known as venous sinuses. The largest of these is the superior sagittal sinus, running along the top of the head, in the midline. Most (but not all) of this venous blood then flows out of the head into the internal jugular veins, there being one of these on each side of the midline.. In the course of a 24-hour period, most healthy adults will produce about 500mls (or a pint) of cerebrospinal fluid, although at any one time the average adult will have around 150mls of fluid around the brain and spinal cordThe main nerve trunk running down the spinal canal and connecting the individual’s mind and consciousness to the rest of his or her body. It is about the size of a person’s little finger, in diameter. It cannot repair itself if damaged.. The fluid has both physical and chemical functions, descriptions of which are beyond the scope of this glossary. Read more