Cerebrospinal fluid

From IKE

Basics

• aka CSF
• Formed by specialized cells, which are clustered together in groups (each a Choroid plexus)

• Has two functions:
  1. cushion the brain from trauma by bathing it completely
  2. provide nutrients to the brain and spinal cord

Drainage

• Lateral ventricles → interventricular foramen → third ventricle → diencephalon → cerebral aqueduct (midbrain) → fourth ventricle → central canal (spinal cord) → subarachnoid space
• From the fourth ventricle, CSF drains into the subarachnoid space via two lateral apertures and one median dorsal aperture.
• Subarachnoid granulations in the subarachnoid space drain CSF into the venous system