Where does cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulate?
This article uses anatomical terminology. The cerebrospinal fluid circulates in the subarachnoid space around the brain and spinal cord, and in the ventricles of the brain. Cerebrospinal fluid ( CSF) is a clear, colorless body fluid found within the tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord of all vertebrates.
What happens when CSF builds up around the brain?
When CSF builds up around the brain, it can create harmful pressures on the tissues of the brain confined within the skull. The accumulation of CSF occurs due to either an increase in production of the fluid, a decrease in its rate of absorption or from a condition that blocks its normal flow through the ventricular system.
What is hydrocephalus ex-vacuo?
Hydrocephalus Ex-vacuo Hydrocephalus ex-vacuo occurs when a stroke or injury damages the brain and brain matter actually shrinks. The brain may shrink in older patients or those with Alzheimer's disease, and CSF volume increases to fill the extra space. In these instances, the ventricles are enlarged, but the pressure usually is normal.
Why do the ventricles of the brain distend?
The ventricles distend in order to accommodate elevated CSF volumes, potentially causing damage to the brain by pressing its tissue against the boney skull. Hydrocephalus may be congenital or acquired.
What is excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles?
Hydrocephalus is a condition in which the primary characteristic is excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) -- the clear fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. This excessive accumulation results in an abnormal dilation of the spaces in the brain called ventricles.
Is the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles or subarachnoid space?
Definition. Hydrocephalus is an increased volume of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the cerebral ventricles that typically is associated with increased intracranial pressure (ICP).
What is the name of the fluid that fills the subarachnoid space?
The subarachnoid space is compartmentalized into cisterns built with sheets of arachnoid tissue, and filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
What is the name of the fluid in the subarachnoid space that acts as a shock absorber for the brain and the spinal cord?
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear, colorless body fluid found within the tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord of all vertebrates. The cerebrospinal fluid circulates in the subarachnoid space around the brain and spinal cord, and in the ventricles of the brain.
What is subarachnoid space?
The subarachnoid space consists of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), major blood vessels, and cisterns. The cisterns are enlarged pockets of CSF created due to the separation of the arachnoid mater from the pia mater based on the anatomy of the brain and spinal cord surface.
How does CSF drain from the subarachnoid space?
The CSF exits the subarachnoid space by diffusing through the walls of arachnoid granulations. The arachnoid granulations provide a valvular mechanism for the flow of CSF, which allows the inflow of CSF into the bloodstream without permitting the backflow of blood into the CSF.
What is the subarachnoid space quizlet?
What is the subarachnoid space and what is it filled with? A large space between the arachnoid and pia mater that is filled with CSF.
What produces cerebrospinal fluid CSF quizlet?
CSF is produced by the choroid plexus in the ventricles. CSF flows from the 3rd ventricle through the cerebral aqueduct into the 4th ventricle. CSF then flows into the subarachnoid space by passing through the paired lateral apertures or the single median aperture and into the central canal of the spinal cord.
What is cerebrospinal fluid quizlet?
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) A clear colorless liquid formed in the VENTRICLES of the BRAIN by SECREATION from the CHOROID PLEXUS. Supplies NUTRIENTS to nervous tissue. Removes METABOLIC waste.
Where is cerebrospinal fluid found around the spinal cord quizlet?
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is found between the arachnoid and pia mater of the brain and spinal cord in the space called the subarachnoid space.
What are the functions of cerebrospinal fluid quizlet?
Terms in this set (3) cushions 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.
Which structure that holds cerebrospinal fluid is located in the cerebrum?
The ventricles of the brain are a communicating network of cavities filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and located within the brain parenchyma. The ventricular system is composed of 2 lateral ventricles, the third ventricle, the cerebral aqueduct, and the fourth ventricle (see the images below).
What is the function of the subarachnoid space?
The primary function of the subarachnoid space is to house CSF which cushions the brain and the spinal cord whilst also providing nutrients and removing waste.
What is the subarachnoid space quizlet?
What is the subarachnoid space and what is it filled with? A large space between the arachnoid and pia mater that is filled with CSF.
Where is cerebrospinal fluid stored?
ventriclesThe CSF is contained within a system of fluid-filled cavities called ventricles. The ventricles are shown in blue on the following midsagittal section of the brain. CSF is produced mainly by a structure called the choroid plexus in the lateral, third and fourth ventricles.
What is located within the subarachnoid space quizlet?
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is found between the arachnoid and pia mater of the brain and spinal cord in the space called the subarachnoid space.
What is the term for the excess cerebrospinal fluid in the brain?
Definition. Hydrocephalus is a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up within the fluid-containing cavities or ventricles of the brain. The term hydrocephalus is derived from the Greek words "hydro" meaning water and "cephalus" meaning the head. Although it translates as "water on the brain," the word actually refers to ...
Why does CSF accumulate?
The accumulation of CSF occurs due to either an increase in production of the fluid, a decrease in its rate of absorption or from a condition that blocks its normal flow through the ventricular system . Hydrocephalus can occur at any age, but is most common in infants and adults age 60 and older.
What is the function of a shunt system?
The shunt system continuously performs its function of diverting the CSF away from the brain, thereby keeping the intracranial pressure within normal limits. In some cases, two procedures are performed, the first to divert the CSF and another at a later stage to remove the cause of obstruction (e.g. a brain tumor).
What is the type of hydrocephalus that develops at birth or in adulthood?
Based on onset, presence of structural defects or high vs. normal CSF pressures, hydrocephalus can be divided into categories. Acquired Hydrocephalus: This is the type of hydrocephalus that develops at birth or in adulthood and is typically caused by injury or disease.
What is normal pressure hydrocephalus?
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: It is a form of communicating hydrocephalus that can occur at any age, but is most common in the elderly. It is characterized by dilated ventricles with normal pressure within the spinal column.
How do you know if you have hydrocephalus?
The symptoms of hydrocephalus tend to vary greatly from person to person and across different age groups. Infants and young children are more susceptible to symptoms from increased intracranial pressure like vomiting and adults can experience loss of function like walking or thinking.
How common is hydrocephalus in children?
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), hydrocephalus is believed to affect approximately one to two in every 1,000 children born in the U.S.
What is the water on the brain called?
Although hydrocephalus often is described as "water on the brain," the "water" is actually CSF — a clear fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. CSF has three crucial functions: It acts as a "shock absorber" for the brain and spinal cord; It acts as a vehicle for delivering nutrients to the brain and removing waste; and.
What is the cause of hydrocephalus ex-vacuo?
Hydrocephalus ex-vacuo occurs when a stroke or injury damages the brain and brain matter actually shrinks. The brain may shrink in older patients or those with Alzheimer's disease, and CSF volume increases to fill the extra space. In these instances, the ventricles are enlarged, but the pressure usually is normal.
How does hydrocephalus affect the prognosis?
The prognosis for hydrocephalus depends on the cause, the extent of symptoms and the timeliness of diagnosis and treatment. Some patients show a dramatic improvement with treatment, while others do not. In some instances of NPH, dementia can be reversed by shunt placement. Other symptoms such as headaches may disappear almost immediately if the symptoms are related to elevated pressure. According to the Life NPH website, if the cause of the NPH is known, the reported success rate for the shunting procedure can be as high as 80 percent. The success rate varies from 25 to 74 percent for NPH cases in which its cause is unknown.
How is hydrocephalus treated?
Hydrocephalus can be treated in a variety of ways. The problem area may be treated directly (by removing the cause of CSF obstruction) or indirectly (by diverting the fluid to somewhere else, typically to another body cavity). Indirect treatment is performed by implanting a device known as a shunt to divert the excess CSF away from the brain. The body cavity in which the CSF is diverted usually is the peritoneal cavity (the area surrounding the abdominal organs).
How to treat hydrocephalus in the lower back?
Lumbar puncture (spinal tap): Under local anesthetic, a thin needle is passed into the spinal fluid space of the low back. Removal of up to 50 cc of CSF is done to see if symptoms are temporarily relieved. This test is used to measure CSF pressure and analyze the fluid. This procedure may help determine whether a shunt, the common treatment for hydrocephalus, will work. If lumbar puncture improves symptoms even temporarily, this can be an indication that a shunt will be successful. There are patients, however, who show no improvement and go on to have a successful shunt procedure.
How much CSF does the average adult produce?
It flows between the cranium and spine to regulate changes in pressure within the brain. The average adult produces about one pint of CSF daily. When an injury or illness alters the circulation of CSF, one or more of the ventricles becomes enlarged as CSF accumulates.
What is the success rate of hydrocephalus?
The success rate varies from 25 to 74 percent for NPH cases in which its cause is unknown. In general, the earlier hydrocephalus is diagnosed, the better the chance for successful treatment. The longer the symptoms have been present, the less likely it is that treatment will be successful.
Which layer of the brain lies directly on the outer surface of the brain?
the menigeal layer that lies directly on outer surface of brain
Where is CSF located?
In the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) between the brain and skull
Where does CSF flow into the subarachnoid space?
CSF then flows into the subarachnoid space through the foramina of Luschka (there are two of these) and the foramen of Magendie (only one of these).
Which cells line the ventricles of the brain and central canal of the spinal cord?
Ependymal cells, which create cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), line the ventricles of the brain and central canal of the spinal cord
What is the cause of increased CSF production?
Hydrocephalus is a pathological condition of abnormal accumulation of CSF caused by increased CSF production, blockage of flow, or decreased absorption. The ventricles distend in order to accommodate elevated CSF volumes, potentially causing damage to the brain by pressing its tissue against the boney skull. Hydrocephalus may be congenital or acquired.
How does the third ventricle connect to the fourth ventricle?
The third ventricle and fourth ventricle are connected to each other by the cerebral aqueduct (also called the Aqueduct of Sylvius). CSF then flows into the subarachnoid space through the foramina of Luschka (there are two of these) and the foramen of Magendie (only one of these).
Which granulations are responsible for resorption of CSF?
Arachnoid granulations are responsible for CSF resorption; they drain CSF into the dural venous sinuses.
What is the role of CSF in the nervous system?
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) plays an essential role in maintaining the homeostasis of the central nervous system.
What is the CSF?
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear, plasma-like fluid (an ultrafiltrate of plasma) that bathes the central nervous system (CNS). It occupies the central spinal canal, the ventricular system, and the subarachnoid space.