Lumbar Puncture

Glossary

Cerebrospinal fluid

• A clear colourless liquid that cushions and protects the brain and spinal cord. It flows freely within the ventricles and the subarachnoid space. Under normal conditions, you have about a half cup of CSF. Your body is constantly producing CSF. The entire CSF volume is replaced every 6 to 8 hours

Intracranial pressure

• Pressure exerted by the cerebrospinal fluid or brain matter within the skull

Ventricles

• Cavities within the brain containing CSF

Subarachnoid space

• CSF-filled area between the brain/spinal cord and the tissue covering these structures