MEDICAL BIOLOGY, HUMAN ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY - Y.I. Fedoniuk 2010

ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, PATHOLOGY

SECTION 3. ANATOMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF BODY FUNCTION AUTOREGULATION

THE BRAIN

8.THE CEREBRUM

8.6.Cerebrospinal fluid: General Overview AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Cerebrospinal fluid (liquor cerebrospinalis) is contained within the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and the central canal of the Spinal Cord. In healthy adults, the volume of cerebrospinal fluid ranges from 120 to 150 ml and is produced by the choroid plexuses of the Brain ventricles. Cerebrospinal fluid circulates in all

directions. From the Lateral ventricles, it flows through the interventricular foramina into the Third ventricle, and subsequently (via the cerebral aqueduct) into the Fourth ventricle. From there, through the median aperture (foramen of Magendie) and lateral apertures (foramena of Luschka), part of the cerebrospinal fluid enters the subarachnoid space of the BRAIN AND SPINAL cord, while another portion extends caudally through the central canal of the spinal cord into the lumbar cistern in the region of the cauda equina. It then ascends into the subarachnoid space of the spinal cord and flows upward toward the brain. Drainage (absorption) of cerebrospinal fluid into the Venous system occurs via arachnoid granulations.

The Functions of cerebrospinal fluid are diverse: it acts as a Shock absorber for the brain and spinal cord, protecting them from mechanical trauma; it participates in the Nutrition and metabolic processes of Nervous Tissue; it protects against Water-electrolyte imbalances, and ensures normal cerebral Blood flow.

Cerebrospinal fluid contains BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES that can diffuse to nerve centers, altering their activity. This mechanism underlies the regulatory function of the cerebrospinal fluid.

In clinical practice, analyzing cerebrospinal fluid is of great diagnostic importance in various Nervous system diseases. Furthermore, it allows for the intrathecal (endolumbar) administration of medications, bypassing the blood-brain barrier to reinforce Treatment or directly target a pathological process.

Cerebrospinal fluid is most commonly obtained via lumbar puncture, which is typically performed between the III and IV or IV and V lumbar vertebrae (to avoid damaging the spinal cord

For diagnostic purposes, contrast agents can be introduced into the subarachnoid space; for therapeutic purposes, Antibiotics or other agents, as well as specific anesthetics for pain management, may be administered.