Cerebrospinal fluid. Functions

Cerebrospinal fluid (another name - cerebrospinal fluid) is a specific fluid that is in close relationship with the spinal cord and brain. It is produced by the interweaving of cerebral vessels. Within 24 hours, about 400-600 milliliters of liquor is produced. In the presence of any pathology - up to 1000. Cerebrospinal fluid for a day is completely updated from 6 to 8 times. In addition to cerebrospinal fluid in the nervous system play an important role of the membrane of the brain and spinal cord.

Functions of cerebrospinal fluid

1. Protective. Forms a water pillow that protects the spinal cord and the brain from tremors, changes in pressure, compression and other negative mechanical influences.

2. The cerebrospinal fluid is a source of nutrition, which is necessary for the growth of the cell mass of the brain. And even in the postnatal period, this fluid plays a major role in the processes of nerve tissue metabolism . The cerebrospinal fluid, filling the pericellular and perivascular spaces, comes into contact with the cells of the nervous system. Then it absorbs the metabolic products and gives the cells the substances necessary for their functioning.

3. Regulation of osmotic pressure, maintaining its constant value in the brain tissues.

Quantity of liquor:

• In newborns - from 30 to 60 milliliters;
• In children older than three years - from 100 to 150 milliliters (with about 50 percent of the cerebrospinal fluid located in the ventricles of the brain, 30-40 percent in brain head cisterns and in subarachnoid spaces, the rest of the cerebrospinal fluid in the spaces of the subarachnoidal spinal cord).

The structure of the cerebrospinal fluid includes hormones, vitamins, inorganic and organic compounds.

In young children, a special role is played by the study of cerebrospinal fluid, since at this age often various disorders that were caused by birth trauma or aspection, and some inflammatory diseases have a similar symptomatology. Cerebrospinal fluid is studied in meningoencephalitis, meningitis, asphyxia, convulsions, volumetric processes, hydrocephalus, hereditary diseases and before the introduction of contrasts into the spinal canal (ventriculography).

Likvor is obtained with the help of ventricular or lumbar puncture. In young children, lumbar puncture is performed in a supine position (approximately 2 hours after ingestion). The patient should be laid on his side, bend the legs to the stomach in order to increase the distance between the vertebrae. After that, the skin is treated and a puncture is made. The cerebrospinal fluid is collected in a special sterile tube. After taking the liquid, the needle is removed. Place the puncture carefully lubricate with iodine and apply a bandage. Then the patient is laid on the bed in a horizontal position, without a pillow. Feeding is allowed in about two hours. Within two days the patient must comply with bed rest and try not to make sudden head movements. Also after puncture it is not recommended to apply various physiotherapeutic procedures (gymnastics, exercise therapy, massage).