Choroid plexus and cerebrospinal fluid

Question 1

Why is CSF homeostasis important?

Answer 1

Fatal concequences if untreated accumulation of CSF –> pressure of brain towards skull

Question 2

Where is CSF produced?

Answer 2

Derived from plasma but produced by the choroid plexus in the lateral ventricles

Question 3

How are CSF transported through the ventricular system?

Answer 3

It’s “propelled” by cilia on the ependymal cells lining the ventricular walls

Question 4

What is the role of ependymal cells?

Answer 4

Seperate the ventricular cavities from the brain tissue (does not serve a secretory role nor represent a diffusion restrictive barrier)

Question 5

What are thee role of the choroid plexus epithelial cells?

Answer 5

Barrier between the blood and the CSF, and maintenance of ionic homeostasis

Question 6

Describe the choroid plexus.

Answer 6

• Specialized endothelial monolayer
• Produces CSF
• Richly vascularized
• Barrier between blood and CSF

Question 7

Are all the ventricles lined with choroid plexus?

Answer 7

No, not in the anterior or posterior horn of the lateral ventricles

Question 8

What are the choriod plexus in the 3rd ventricle believed to play a role in?

Answer 8

Seretion

Question 9

Describe the CSF production.

Answer 9

Involve active water translocation:
- from the arterial blood supply of the pia mater
- transferred from the vascular system of the CP
- through the choroid epithelium and into the ventricles

Question 10

How does the CSF enter the subarachnoid space?

Answer 10

Through the 3rd ventricle