cerebrospinal fluid

American  

noun

Physiology.

1. the fluid in the ventricles of the brain, between the arachnoid and pia mater, and surrounding the spinal cord.

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cerebrospinal fluid British  

noun

1.  CSF.  the clear colourless fluid in the spaces inside and around the spinal cord and brain

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cerebrospinal fluid Scientific  

/ sĕr′ə-brō-spī′nəl,sə-rē′brō- /

1. The clear fluid that fills the cavities of the brain and covers the surfaces of the brain and spinal cord. It lubricates the tissues and cushions them from shock and injury.

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Etymology

Origin of cerebrospinal fluid

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

To administer genetic medicines against the tau protein tangles that are Alzheimer’s’ other main pathology, doctors must inject them directly into the cerebrospinal fluid.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

That gentle motion appears to help cerebrospinal fluid move across the brain, which may carry away waste that can interfere with normal brain function.

From Science Daily • May 1, 2026

During those misses, the scientists observed a surge of cerebrospinal fluid through and out of the brain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

All the volunteers will have the current gold-standard tests for Alzheimer's which involve a specialised brain PET scan using a radioactive tracer, or a lumbar puncture to remove a sample of cerebrospinal fluid.

From BBC • Jan. 18, 2026

The cerebrospinal fluid revealed some abnormal changes which were suggestive of an organic brain disease.

From The Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Volume 10 by Various