CEREBROSPINAL AXIS Meaning and
Definition
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The cerebrospinal axis refers to the anatomical pathway through which cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulates within the central nervous system. This axis consists primarily of the ventricles, subarachnoid space, and spinal cord. Cerebrospinal fluid, a clear and colorless fluid, is produced within the ventricles of the brain and circulates around the brain and spinal cord, serving various essential functions.
The ventricles are a series of interconnected cavities within the brain that produce and store cerebrospinal fluid. From the lateral ventricles, CSF moves through the interventricular foramina into the third ventricle, followed by the cerebral aqueduct which leads to the fourth ventricle. From the fourth ventricle, CSF flows into the subarachnoid space surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
The subarachnoid space acts as a cushion, providing protection to the central nervous system against trauma. Additionally, it allows for the exchange of nutrients, waste products, and oxygen between blood vessels and neural tissue. The cerebrospinal fluid is eventually absorbed back into the bloodstream via arachnoid granulations, which are specialized structures in the meningeal layers surrounding the brain.
Overall, the cerebrospinal axis serves as a vital route for the circulation and distribution of cerebrospinal fluid, facilitating crucial functions such as supporting the brain, protecting it from injury, regulating its chemical environment, and providing buoyancy to decrease the weight exerted on neural tissue.
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The central nervous system, the brain and spinal cord.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for CEREBROSPINAL AXIS
- cerrbrospinalaxis
- cerebrospinnalaxis
- cerebrospienalaxis
- c erebrospinal axis
- ce rebrospinal axis
- cer ebrospinal axis
- cere brospinal axis
- cereb rospinal axis
- cerebr ospinal axis
- cerebro spinal axis
- cerebrospi nal axis
- cerebrospin al axis
- cerebrospina l axis
- cerebrospinal a xis
- cerebrospinal ax is
- cerebrospinal axi s
Etymology of CEREBROSPINAL AXIS
The word "cerebrospinal axis" is derived from several components:
1. Cerebro-: This prefix comes from the Latin word "cerebrum", meaning "brain". It is used to denote a relation to the brain.
2. Spinal: This term comes from the Latin word "spina", meaning "thorn" or "spine". It refers to the spinal cord, which is the elongated structure running down the vertebral column.
3. Axis: This term originates from the Latin word "axis", meaning "axle" or "pivot". It refers to a central or main line around which something rotates or is organized. In this context, it represents the central column formed by the brain and spinal cord.
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