CSF, Hydrocephalus, Lumbar Puncture Flashcards
What is hydrocephalus?
Refers to general condition where there is an excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the intracranial space, and specifically the intraventricular spaces which cause dilation of the ventricles
What does CSF stand for?
Cerebro-spinal fluid
What does an excess of CSF cause to the ventricles in the brain?
Dilation
What is majority of CSF produced by?
Choroid plexus
Is the production of CSF a passive process?
No, is a metabolic process and requires ATP:
- Sodium is pumped into the subarachnoid space, and water follows from the blood vessels
Where is the choroid plexus primarily located?
Choroid plexus is primarily located in the lateral ventricles (temporal horn roofs, and floors of bodies), posterior 3rd ventricle roof and caudal 4th ventricle roof

How much CSF does the adult brain produce every day?
450-600cc’s
Normal production is the same as reabsorption
How does normal production of CSF compare to reabsorption?
The same
How if CSF distributed at any given moment?
At any given moment, there is about 150cc’s of CSF present in the average adult, with about 25cc of this being in the brain ventricles
So the CSF volume turns over 3 to 4 times everyday
Describe the steps of the CSF pathway?
- Begins in lateral ventricle (remember there is one at each side)
- Travels through foramen of Monro into the 3rd ventricle
- Passes through the cerebral aqueduct of Sylvius into the 4th ventricle
- Passes through either of two foramina of Luschka or the single foramen of Magendie
- Flows through subarachnoid space over and around the brain and spinal cord
- Reabsorbed into venous system through numerous arachnoid granulations along the dural venous sinuses

In what ventricle does CSF begin?
Lateral ventricle
What does CSF travel through to get from the lateral ventricles to the III ventricle?
Foramen of Monro
What does CSF travel through to get from III ventricle to IV ventricle?
Cerebral aquaduct of Sylvius
What does CSF travel through to get from IV ventricle to subarachnoid space?
Either of two foramina of Luschka or single foramen of Magendie
What is CSF reabsorbed through and into?
- Reabsorbed into venous system through numerous arachnoid granulations along the dural venous sinuses
What do arachnoid granulations contain to assist with reabsorption of CSF?
Arachnoid granulations contain arachnoid villi which function as pressure-dependent one way valves that open when the ICP is about 3-5cm H2O greater than dural venous sinus pressure
When do valves open to allow CSF reaborption?
When the ICP is about 3-5cm H2O greater than dural venous sinus pressure
Is CSF reabsorption a passive process?
Yes, is driven by pressure gradient between intracranial space (ICP) and the venous system (about CVP)
What are the two major types of hydrocephalus?
- Communicating hydrocephalus (CoH)
- Also known as non-obstructive hydrocephalus
- Non-communicating hydrocephalus (NCH)
- Also known as obstructive hydrocephalus
What is communicating hydrocephalus also called?
Non-obstructive hydrocephalus
What is non-communicating hydrocephalus also called?
Obstructive hydrocephalus
What does CoH stand for?
Communicating hydrocephalus
What does NCH stand for?
Non-communicating hydrocephalus
What is a consequence of the CSF pathway being open from start to finish?
CSF can travel freely from the choroid plexus to the arachnoid granulations, so no obstruction and communicating hydrocephalus
