Physiology Flashcards
What is CSF mainly composed of?
Water
What is CSF produced by?
Secretory epithelium of the choroid plexus
What rate is CSF produced at?
~0.4ml/min/g tissue, 500-600ml/day
What is the total volume of CSF?
150ml volume, replaced 3-4xdaily
Where is CSF formed and subsequently circulate?
Ventricles and then circulates in the subarachnoid space then absorbed into venous circulation
What does the CSF supply to tissue?
Water, aa, ions
What does the CSF remove?
Metabolites
What are the 3 major functions of CSF?
Mechanical protection:shock absorbing medium that protects brain tissue. Homeostatic function: pH of CSF affects pulmonary ventilation and cerebral blood flow. Transports hormones. Circulation: medium for minor exchange of nutrients and waste products between blood and brain tissue
How is CSF obtained for clinical analysis?
LP
What is the composition of CSF?
Clear, colourless. Little protein (15-45mg/dl), little Ig and only 1-5 cells/ml
What does the developing nervous system consist of at 3 weeks?
A Tube-neural canal
What does the cavity of the neural canal give rise to?
Adult brain’s ventricles and spinal cords central canal
What does the choroid plexus develop from?
Cells in the walls of the ventricles
How is the choroid fissure and plexus formed?
Developing arteries invaginate the roof of the ventricle. The involuted ependymal cells along with vessels enlarge into villi and form the plexus
Where is the choroid plexus found in the adult brain?
In the 3rd, 4th and lateral ventricles
What is the choroid plexus?
Network of capillaries in walls of ventricles
What ion transport is involved in CSF secretion and in what direction?
Na+, Cl-, HCO3 (Plus H20) from blood to CSF
How can secretion occur in the epithelial cells of the plexus?
Because of the polarised distribution of specific ion transporters in the apical or basolateral membrane of the epithelial cells
What is the constitution of CSF compared to plasma?
Lower K+ and glucose, and much lower protein than blood, and higher concentrations of Na+ and Cl-
Which ventricles are connected by the intraventricular foramina (of Monroe)?
Lateral’s to 3rd
Which ventricles are connected by the cerebral aqueduct (of Sylvius)?
3rd to 4th
Which ventricles are connected by the foramen of mengendie?
Median aperture-4th to subarachnoid space
Which ventricles are connected by the foramen of Luschka?
Lateral apertures-4th to subarachnoid space
What is the circulation of CSF in the brain?
Formed in choroid plexus of each lateral ventricle. Flows to 3rd through interventricular foramina. More added by plexus in roof of 3rd. Flows through aqueduct of midbrain and into 4th. Another plexus in 4th adds. Enters subarachnoid space through 3 openings in roof of 4th (single medium/paired lateral apertures). Then circulates in central canal of cord
How does CSF return to venous blood?
Through arachnoid granulations in the superior sagittal sinus (SSS)
Through what does the brain interstitial fluid drain through to the CSF?
Perivascular spaces
What are the site of the BBB?
Endothelial cells in brain capillaries
What does the BBB consist of?
Capillary endothelium, its basal membrane and perivascular astrocytes
What prevents paracellular movement of molecules in the BBB?
Tight junctions between brain endothelial cells
What parts of the brain do not have a BBB?
Circumventricular organs or pineal gland
What is the main obstacle for drug delivery to the CNS?
BBB