The Cerebrospinal Fluid

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Anatomy > Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body > IX. Neurology > 4h. The Cerebrospinal Fluid


The Cerebrospinal Fluid










In some ways the subdural space may be likened to a serous cavity. The inner surface of the dura is covered by flattened polygonal mesothelial cells but the outer surface of the arachnoid is covered by somewhat cuboidal mesothelium. The fluid of the subdural space has probably a local origin from the cells lining it. Note 129 Weed. L. H., Anat. Record, 1917, 12.


CSF serves several purposes:

  1. Buoyancy: The actual mass of the human brain is about 1400–1500 grams; however, the net weight of the brain suspended in CSF is equivalent to a massf 25-50 grams.[1][2] The brain therefore exists in neutral buoyancy, which allows the brain to maintain its density without being impaired by its own weight, which would cut off blood supply and kill neurons in the lower sections without CSF.[3]
  2. Protection: CSF protects the brain tissue from injury when jolted or hit, by providing a fluid buffer that acts as a shock absorber from some forms of mechanical injury.[2][3]
  3. Prevention of brain ischemia: The prevention of brain ischemia is aided by decreasing the amount of CSF in the limited space inside the skull. This decreases total intracranial pressure and facilitates blood perfusion.[2]
  4. Homeostasis: CSF allows for regulation of the distribution of substances between cells of the brain,[4] and neuroendocrine factors, to which slight changes can cause problems or damage to the nervous system. For example, high glycine concentration disrupts temperature and blood pressure control, and high CSF pH causes dizziness and syncope.[3]
  5. Clearing waste: CSF allows for the removal of waste products from the brain,[2] and is critical in the brain's lymphatic system.[5] Metabolic waste products diffuse rapidly into CSF and are removed into the bloodstream as CSF is absorbed.[6]

External links

Gray's Anatomy

Anatomy atlases (external)

[1] - Anatomy Atlases

  1. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3
  2. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SALADIN2012
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