Back & Neck Pain

  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Back & Neck Pain

Cerebrospinal Fluid

By Anne Asher, About.com

Updated: May 08, 2005

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Definition:

Cerebrospinal fluid is a fluid that circulates throughout the central nervous system. The cerebrospinal fluid is located between the brain and skull. Therefore, it has 2 important benefits to the central nervous system:

  1. circulation
    • the cerbrospinal fluid delivers nutrients to the structures of the nervous system
    • the cerebrospinal fluid removes wastes from the brain and spinal cord, detoxifying the environment of the nervous system
  2. shock absorption
    • the cerbrospinal fluid protects the brain and spinal cord from trauma brought upon by movement, falls, blows, etc.

The cerebrospinal fluid is the focus of an osteopathic technique called Cranial Sacral Therapy.

Explore Back & Neck Pain

About.com Special Features

Do I Have Allergies?

Are your symptoms merely irritating, or could they be a sign of allergies? More >

Preventing Headaches

The best way to treat a headache is to prevent it. Learn how. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.

Back & Neck Pain

  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Back & Neck Pain
  4. Chronic Back - Neck Pain
  5. Glossary
  6. C
  7. Cerebrospinal Fluid

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.