Cerebrospinal fluid: composition, functions and disorders.
A substance present in our nervous system and without which we could not live.
It is popular knowledge that the brain is located inside the skull, being protected among other things by the skull and by different membranes, such as the meninges.
The correct functioning and protection of this organ is essential for survival.It is therefore necessary to nourish it and avoid possible damages, such as those caused by blows or intracranial pressure. In addition, in its necessarily continuous functioning, residues are generated, which can be harmful and must therefore be removed from the system.
This involves a very important fluid that circulates in the nervous system, known as cerebrospinal fluid. cerebrospinal fluid.
A general idea of cerebrospinal fluid
The cerebrospinal fluid or cerebrospinal fluid is a substance present in the nervous system, both at the level of the brain and the spinal cord, which performs various functions such as protection, maintenance of intracranial pressure and health of the thinking organ.It performs various functions such as protection, maintenance of intracranial pressure and state of health of the thinking organ.
Its presence in the nervous system occurs especially in the subarachnoid space (between the arachnoid and pia mater, two of the meninges that protect the brain) and the cerebral ventricles. It is a transparent liquid of fundamental importance in the preservation and good health of the brain, with a composition similar to that of Blood plasma, from which it is derived. Although it is colorless, different alterations and infections can give it different shades, its coloration being a sign of the presence of a problem.
Cerebrospinal fluid life cycle
Cerebrospinal fluid is synthesized in the choroid plexuses, small structures present in the lateral ventricles, and the main function of these plexuses is the production of this substance. This production is continuous, renewing itself to maintain a constant amount of this substance..
Once emitted, it flows from the lateral ventricles to the third ventricle and then to the fourth ventricle through the aqueduct of Sylvius. From there it ends up projecting to the subarachnoid space through an orifice known as Magendie's orifice and Luschka's orifices, openings located in the fourth cerebral ventricle that put in contact the ventricular and meningeal systems by communicating with the cisterna magna of the subarachnoid space (located between the arachnoid and pia mater meninges). From that point it circulates through the meninges along the entire nervous system, exercising various functions in the process.
To culminate its life cycle, it is finally reabsorbed through the arachnoid granulations, which connect with the veins present in the dura mater, so that the liquid ends up reaching the bloodstream.
The average life cycle of this substance is of about three hours, between its secretion, circulation, circulation, and release into the bloodstream.between its secretion, circulation, collection and renewal.
Composition
As just mentioned, the composition of cerebrospinal fluid is very similar to that of blood plasma, the main variations being the comparatively small amount of cerebrospinal fluid in the cerebrospinal fluid.The main variations are the comparatively much lower presence of proteins (it is estimated that in blood plasma the presence of proteins is two hundred times higher) and the type of electrolytes that are part of it.
An aqueous-based solution, cerebrospinal fluid has various components of great importance for the maintenance of the nervous system, such as vitamins (especially B group), electrolytes, leukocytes, amino acids, choline and nucleic acid.
Within this large quantity of elements, the presence of albumin as the main protein component in cerebrospinal fluid, together with others such as prealbumin, is of particular note.together with others such as prealbumin, alpha-2-macroglobulin or transferrin. Apart from these components, the high presence of glucose stands out, having around 50 to 80% of presence in this solution so vital for the brain.
Main functions
We have visualized an overview of what cerebrospinal fluid is, where it circulates and what it is composed of. However, the question arises as to why this substance However, the question arises as to why this substance is so important for the correct for the correct functioning of the entire nervous system. To answer this question it is necessary to see what functions it has.
One of the main functions of the cerebrospinal fluid is that of being the main mechanism of elimination of waste produced by the continuous functioning of the nervous system, waste that could seriously affect its functioning.This is a waste that could seriously affect its functioning. Thus, the cerebrospinal fluid circulation carries away those substances and metabolites, which will end up being excreted from the system. In the absence of this substance, toxins and excess particles would settle in regions of the nervous system and adjacent areas, so that many problems would appear in the state of living cells: they could neither free themselves from these excess elements, nor could they access the parts of these that can be recycled once they have passed through the right place.
Another of the most important functions of the cerebrospinal fluid is to keep the brain nourished, as well as to ensure the constancy of the medium between the different cells of the brain and the medulla. It is a kind of chemical "shock absorber" that allows for increased room for maneuver in the event of certain hormonal imbalances, for example, and when there are homeostasis problems in general..
The cerebrospinal fluid also allows the brain to remain buoyant within the skull, greatly reducing its weight. This buoyancy also serves as a cushion against aggressions, blows and movements by reducing the possibility of collision with the bones of the skull or external elements.
Likewise, the cerebrospinal fluid plays a major role in maintaining intracranial pressure.The blood vessels, making it neither too large nor too small, maintaining a constant balance that allows the correct functioning of the nervous system.
Finally, it also participates by acting as an immune system, protecting the nervous system from harmful agents. It also contributes as a means of transporting hormones.
Derived disorders
Thus, the nervous system has in the cerebrospinal fluid an essential tool to function correctly.
However, it is possible that disturbances may occur in the cerebrospinal fluid, it is possible that alterations in the synthesis, circulation or reabsorption of this substance may occur.These may cause different problems, two of them being the following.
Hydrocephalus
This concept refers to the excessive presence of cerebrospinal fluid, being such an accumulationThere is such an accumulation that it causes a pressure of the brain against the skull. Some of the elements that can cause it are tumors, infections or trauma, but it is also common to find congenital hydrocephalus, i.e. present from birth.
It can cause headache, vomiting, cognitive or coordination impairment or double vision, among other symptoms, being in the case of congenital hydrocephalus a reason for a strong difficulty in development and intellectual deficit. It is generally due to obstructions in the circuit, a common example being the obstruction of the Magendie orifice. To treat these problems, it is possible to perform surgery in order to provide an escape route for the fluid to other areas, such as the stomach.
2. Intracranial Hypertension/Hypotension
Too much or too little cerebrospinal fluid can cause the pressure on the brain inside the skull to be too high or too low to allow it to function properly. While hypotension would be caused by the loss or low production of cerebrospinal fluid, hypertension would be caused by an excess of cerebrospinal fluid, which can be serious because it presses on areas of the nervous system and prevents them from functioning well (or even kills areas of cellular tissue).
In any case, the alterations in the cerebrospinal fluid that may appear in these cases are added to the problems of the cardiac condition that it causes, so that the danger increases.so that the danger is increased. It is necessary to treat both groups of symptoms to avoid a chain effect resulting from problems in the functioning of the nervous system and the circulatory system.
Bibliographical references:
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Rodríguez-Segade, S. (2006). Cerebrospinal fluid. Ed Cont Lab Clin.;9:49-56.
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Rosenberg, G.A. (2008). Brain edema and disorders of cerebrospinal fluid circulation. In: Bradley, W.G.; Daroff, R.B.; Fenichel, G.M.; Jankovic, J. (eds). Bradley: Neurology in Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Butterworth-Heinemann Elsevier; 63.
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Zweckberger, K.; Sakowitz, O.W.; Unterberg, A.W. et al. (2009). Intracranial pressure-volume relationship. Physiology and pathophysiology Anaesthesist. 58:392-7.
(Updated at Apr 13 / 2024)