Primarily produced by the choroid plexus and circulates in the subarachnoid space and within the ventricles. CSF contains small amounts of glucose and protein, provides nutrients for CNS tissues, and acts as a shock absorber for the brain and spinal cord within the boney structures. CSF can be sampled by lumbar puncture and screened for the presence of excess protein levels, blood or bacteria for diagnosis of a variety of disease processes.
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