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cerebrospinal fluid
noun
: a colorless liquid that is comparable to serum, is secreted from the blood into the lateral ventricles of the brain, and serves chiefly to maintain uniform pressure within the brain and spinal cord
Examples of cerebrospinal fluid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This led them to the opening—the end of the trigeminal nerve that was in open contact with the cerebrospinal fluid.
—Matthew Ponsford, WIRED, 19 Sep. 2024
Numbness or Weakness Anywhere in the Body Numbness or weakness anywhere in the body can be a sign of metastatic breast cancer, seen when cancer spreads into the spinal cord or into the cerebrospinal fluid.
—Julie Scott, Msn, People.com, 2 Oct. 2024
The diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis involves a spinal tap to examine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) extracted from between the bones of the lower spine.
—Brigid Dwyer, Verywell Health, 2 July 2024
Here’s what happens when your cerebrospinal fluid stops working:
What is cerebrospinal fluid?
—Danielle Wilhour, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1828, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of cerebrospinal fluid was
in 1828
Dictionary Entries Near cerebrospinal fluid
Cite this Entry
“Cerebrospinal fluid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cerebrospinal%20fluid. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
cerebrospinal fluid
noun
ce·re·bro·spi·nal fluid
sə-ˌrē-brō-ˌspīn-ᵊl-
: a colorless fluid that occupies the cavities of the brain and spinal cord and the space between these and the membranes surrounding them
Medical Definition
cerebrospinal fluid
noun
: a liquid that is comparable to serum but contains less dissolved material, that is secreted from the blood into the lateral ventricles of the brain by the choroid plexus, circulates through the ventricles to the spaces between the meninges about the brain and spinal cord, and is resorbed into the blood through the subarachnoid sinuses, and that serves chiefly to maintain uniform pressure within the brain and spinal cord
called also spinal fluid
compare lymphMore from Merriam-Webster on cerebrospinal fluid
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cerebrospinal fluid
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