CSFüregfolyadék

CSFüregfolyadék, often abbreviated as CSF, is the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It is a clear, colorless fluid that plays a crucial role in protecting the central nervous system. CSF is produced by specialized cells called ependymal cells within the ventricles of the brain. These ventricles are a series of interconnected cavities containing CSF.

The primary functions of CSF include mechanical cushioning and shock absorption, protecting the brain and spinal cord from physical trauma. It also provides buoyancy, reducing the overall weight of the brain and preventing it from crushing under its own mass. Furthermore, CSF acts as a transport medium, carrying nutrients to the brain and removing metabolic waste products. It helps to maintain a stable chemical environment for neuronal activity.

CSF circulates through the ventricular system and the subarachnoid space, the area between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater, two of the meninges that cover the brain and spinal cord. This continuous circulation is maintained by the production and absorption of CSF. Abnormalities in CSF production, flow, or absorption can lead to various neurological conditions, such as hydrocephalus, where there is an excess accumulation of CSF, increasing intracranial pressure. Analysis of CSF, obtained through a lumbar puncture (spinal tap), is an important diagnostic tool for many neurological diseases, including infections like meningitis and inflammatory conditions.