CSFvolym

CSFvolym, or cerebrospinal fluid volume, is the total amount of cerebrospinal fluid present within the central nervous system at a given time. It encompasses the fluid in the ventricular system (lateral, third, and fourth ventricles), the cisterns, and the subarachnoid spaces around the brain and spinal cord. In healthy adults, CSFvolym is commonly cited as about 140–150 milliliters, though values can vary with age, body size, and measurement method.

CSF is produced primarily by the choroid plexus and circulates from the ventricles through the foramina into the subarachnoid space, bathing the brain and spinal cord before being absorbed mainly via arachnoid granulations into the venous system. The production rate in adults is roughly 0.3–0.4 milliliters per minute, about 500 milliliters per day, resulting in a turnover of several times per day. The fluid provides mechanical protection, distributes nutrients, and helps remove metabolic waste.

Measurement of CSFvolym is most often inferred indirectly via imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) with volumetric analysis. Invasive methods, including dynamic imaging or tracer studies, exist but are less common in routine care. Lumbar puncture can assess CSF pressure and composition but is not a direct measurement of total CSF volume.

Clinical relevance: abnormal CSFvolym can occur in hydrocephalus (increased volume due to impaired drainage or obstruction) or after brain injury; fluctuations in volume influence intracranial dynamics and treatment decisions. Age and body size can modulate baseline volume.