spinal fluid
Central nervous liquid
Spinal fluid is the clear liquid that surrounds and cushions the brain and spinal cord, properly called cerebrospinal fluid.
It circulates through cavities in the central nervous system, providing protection and removing waste.
Doctors may extract it through a lumbar puncture to diagnose conditions like meningitis: The spinal fluid showed signs of infection.
Of brain and spinal cord
- meningesBrain and cord coverings
- ventriclesMuscular pumping chambers
- subarachnoidBeneath the arachnoid membrane
- arachnoidOf or like spiders
dura mater · choroid plexus · cistern · blood-brain barrier · foramen · brainstem · cerebellum · medulla oblongata
Primary cellular fuel
- proteinFolded amino chain
- electrolytesConducting ions in solution
- waterClear essential liquid
- lymphocytesAdaptive immunity cells
antibodies · albumin · immunoglobulins · ions · sodium · potassium · chloride · clear
Abnormal cranial fluid buildup
- meningitisMembrane inflammation around brain
- encephalitisInflammatory brain condition
- multiple sclerosisAutoimmune demyelinating neurological disease
- hemorrhageProfuse discharge of blood
leak · shunt · obstruction · infection · inflammation · tumor markers · Guillain-Barré · myelitis
Extracting cerebrospinal fluid diagnostically
- cell countEnumeration of biological units
- protein levelsConcentrations of amino-acid chains
- cytologyStudy of cells
- cultureCollective social practices
biomarkers · manometry · laboratory analysis · centrifugation
Softening force or fall
- protectionGuarding against harm
- buoyancyFluid's upward resistance
- waste removalEliminating unwanted materials
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
shock absorption · lubrication · circulation · filtration · reabsorption · temperature regulation
cerebrospinal
Of brain and spinal cord
- meningesBrain and cord coverings
- ventriclesMuscular pumping chambers
- subarachnoidBeneath the arachnoid membrane
arachnoid · dura mater · choroid plexus · cistern · blood-brain barrier · foramen · brainstem · cerebellum · medulla oblongata · vertebrae
glucose
Primary cellular fuel
- proteinFolded amino chain
- electrolytesConducting ions in solution
- waterClear essential liquid
lymphocytes · antibodies · albumin · immunoglobulins · ions · sodium · potassium · chloride · clear · colorless
hydrocephalus
Abnormal cranial fluid buildup
- meningitisMembrane inflammation around brain
- encephalitisInflammatory brain condition
- multiple sclerosisAutoimmune demyelinating neurological disease
hemorrhage · leak · shunt · obstruction · infection · inflammation · tumor markers · Guillain-Barré · myelitis · abscess
lumbar puncture
Extracting cerebrospinal fluid diagnostically
- cell countEnumeration of biological units
- protein levelsConcentrations of amino-acid chains
- cytologyStudy of cells
culture · biomarkers · manometry · laboratory analysis · centrifugation
cushioning
Softening force or fall
- protectionGuarding against harm
- buoyancyFluid's upward resistance
- waste removalEliminating unwanted materials
homeostasis · shock absorption · lubrication · circulation · filtration · reabsorption · temperature regulation
- body fluidsblood, lymph, saliva, urine, sweat
- spinevertebra, backbone, vertebral body, cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae
- biospecimensblood samples, tissue samples, DNA samples, saliva samples, biological samples
- CSF systemCSF, third ventricle, fourth ventricle, ventricles, aqueduct of Sylvius
- Hydrocephalushydrocephalus, CSF, shunt, ICP, ETV