Circulation of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

The flow of CSF through the Central Nervous System is important to understand for the many conditions that can affect it including hydrocephalus, infections, masses, or bleeds.

I have created a flow chart to show the anatomy of the circulation of CSF. It is important to remember that the lateral structures are arranged in pairs, while the midline structures are single. 

A mnemonic to remember the locations of the foramina:
Foramen of Luschka is Lateral
Foramen of Magendie is Medial

Along with the anatomy, it is important to know how to perform a lumbar puncture to collect CSF, which lab tests to perform on it, and how to interpret those lab tests. This information will be discussed in a future post.

Source:

Craig, John A., James Perkins, John T. Hansen, and Bruce M. Koeppen. "Neurophysiology." Atlas of Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology. By Frank H. Netter. Special ed. Teterboro: Icon Custom Communications, 2002. 61-62. Print.

Johnson, KS and DJ Sexton. Cerebrospinal fluid: Physiology and utility of an examination in disease states. In: UpToDate, Basow, DS (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2012.