ryggvätska

Ryggvätska, also known as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), is a clear, colorless fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It is produced by specialized cells in the ventricles of the brain called the choroid plexuses. The primary functions of ryggvätska are to protect the central nervous system from physical shock and injury, to provide nutrients to the brain and spinal cord, and to remove waste products.

Ryggvätska circulates within the subarachnoid space, a cavity between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater, which are two of the meninges, or membranes, that cover the brain and spinal cord. It also fills the ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord. The constant production and reabsorption of ryggvätska help maintain a stable environment for the delicate neural tissues.

Analysis of ryggvätska is a crucial diagnostic tool in medicine. A procedure called a lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, is performed to collect a sample of the fluid. Examining the composition of ryggvätska can help detect and diagnose a variety of conditions affecting the central nervous system, including infections such as meningitis and encephalitis, inflammatory diseases like multiple sclerosis, and certain types of cancer. Abnormalities in the appearance, cell count, protein levels, or glucose levels of ryggvätska can indicate the presence of disease.