Cerebrospinal Fluid

Cerebrospinal fluid is a clear, colorless body fluid found in the brain and spinal cord. It serves as a protective cushion for the central nervous system (CNS), providing mechanical support, as well as maintaining chemical stability and offering an effective waste removal mechanism. Produced primarily within the ventricles of the brain, it circulates through cavities in the CNS before being absorbed into the bloodstream.

The composition of cerebrospinal fluid closely parallels that of plasma, with low protein content and high glucose concentration. Its volume fluctuates between 100 and 150 ml in adults, replaced several times daily. Changes in its composition often indicate neurological diseases or infections.

Its role in diagnosing medical conditions is significant; Lumbar puncture is a common procedure to collect cerebrospinal fluid for analysis. Abnormal findings can assist clinicians in diagnosing conditions like meningitis, multiple sclerosis, or brain tumors.

**Exact Match Keyword:** Cerebrospinal Fluid
**N-gram Classification:** Cerebrospinal Fluid
**Substring Matches:** Cerebrospinal, Spinal Fluid
**Category:** Medical
**Search Intent:** Information, Research, Medical Diagnosis
**Semantic Relevance:** Neurology, Central Nervous System, Brain Health
**Parent Category:** Healthcare
**Subcategories:** Neurology, Anatomy, Medical Testing
**Synonyms:** CSF, Spinal Fluid
**Similar Searches:** What is CSF?, Functions of Cerebrospinal Fluid
**Related Searches:** Brain fluid composition, CSF analysis tests
**Geographic Relevance:** Global
**Topically Relevant Entities:** Brain, Nervous System, Spine