The Cerebrospinal Fluid System
The Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) is the clear watery substance found in cavities within and around the brain and spinal cord in vertebrate animals. It is primarily secreted into the cerebral ventricles and in lower vertebrates remains within the neuraxis, but in higher vertebrates there is free communication with the clear fluid within the spaces surrounding the neuraxis. It provides a bouyant fluid reservoir giving physical support to the neuraxis, and is a means of maintaining the central nervous system cellular internal mileau by active transportation across the surrounding cellular linings. In addition, it has a pulsatile slow-flow movement from ventricles to subarachnoid space. The CSF, cerebral ventricles, subarachnoid spaces and cisterns, with the surrounding secretory and absorbing linings, all involved in a complex contribution to the homeostasis of the neuraxis, can be termed the Cerebrospinal Fluid System.

© Badgerwood 2002

See: CSF System Bibliography  (visit)  & Evolution of the CSF System  (visit )