Cerebral Vasculature & Brain Homeostasis Flashcards
This flows through the ventricles and around the brain and spinal cord.
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
At any given moment, there is _______ of CSF. This amount can go up with hydrocephalus or other abnormalities.
150 ml
CSF is not recirculated in the body, so we make _______ per day.
550 ml
There are 4 ventricles in the brain, which are…
2 Lateral Ventricles
Third Ventricle
Fourth Ventricle
This ventricle is located over the Medulla, and under the Cerebellum.
Fourth Ventricle
This connects the Lateral Ventricles to the Third Ventricle.
Intraventricular Foramen
This connects the 3rd and 4th ventricles.
Cerebral Aqueduct
This connects the 4th ventricle to the Cisterna Magna.
Median Aperture
This connects the 4th ventricle to the Arachnoid space.
Lateral Apertures
Most of the CSF (50-70 percent) is made by the specialized tissue of the…
Choroid Plexus
The Choroid Plexus has a lot of folds for what purpose?
To increase surface area
The remaining CSF is made by what (other than Choroid Plexus)?
Tissue that lines the ventricles and blood vessels
What are the two steps of CSF formation?
1) Passive filtration of serum
2) Modification of ion composition
Step 1 of CSF formation, passive filtration of serum, is dependent on two pressures which are…
Hydrostatic Pressure
Oncotic Pressure
Describe the two types of Hydrostatic Pressure for CSF.
– In the capillary and pushes fluid out, this pressure is large (same as blood pressure).
– Surrounding the capillary and pushes fluid into it, this pressure is small (called Tissue Hydrostatic Pressure).
Describe the two types of Oncotic Pressure for CSF.
– Inside the capillary, pulls the fluid into the capillary.
– Surrounding the capillary, pulls the fluid out of the capillary.
Why does Oncotic Pressure not have much effect?
Because the tissue Oncotic Pressure and the capillary Oncotic Pressure are equal and opposite and cancel each other out.
***This makes Hydrostatic Pressure (blood pressure) win, which pushes fluid out of capillary.
Briefly explain how step 1 of formation of CSF works.
Step 1: Passive filtration of serum
– Dependent on two pressures, which are hydrostatic and oncotic. The oncotic pressures cancel each other out, and the hydrostatic pressure in the capillary (blood pressure) is greater than the tissue hydrostatic pressure. This means fluid moves from the blood vessels into the ventricles.
Step 2 of CSF formation is the modification of ion composition. What ion concentrations are controlled by channels on epithelial cells?
HCO3 (bicarbonate)
Cl
K
For step 2 of CSF formation, this is what allows water to cross the barrier.
Aquaporin 1
T/F. Production of CSF is constant over a wide range of intracranial pressures.
True
***Remember, this isn’t always a good thing. The CSF does not have an “off” switch so it will continue to make CSF even if it already has too much and it’s within the appropriate intracranial pressure range.
What is in nearly equal concentrations between the blood plasma and the CSF?
Na+
HCO3
What is in greater concentration in the CSF, but less in the blood plasma?
Mg++
Cl-
CO2
What is in lesser concentrations in the CSF, but greater in the blood plasma?
K+
Ca++
Protein
Glucose
***Calcium can be very toxic to cells, and protein acts as a buffer for H+ ions. This is why the pH is different in the CSF and the plasma.
CSF flows through the ventricular system. The flow is one way and the CSF is reabsorbed by the _________ ________ at the end.
Arachnoid Villi
In the absorption of CSF by the Arachnoid Villi, the endothelium of the ______ _____ and the membrane on the villi have fused. This allows for the bulk flow of CSF into the ______ ______ (which is the primary method of absorption). Pinocytosis (cell drinking) has also been documented.
Venous Sinus
Venous Sinus
The absorption of CSF is proportional to what?
Intracranial pressure
At intracranial pressures below _______ CSF, there is no absorption. Normal pressure is _______ CSF.
68 mm
112 mm
T/F. Increased pressure causes damage to neurons.
True
***Remember neurons HATE pressure, which is why your hand/foot falls asleep when you put pressure or lay on it for too long!