NURSING TOOL BOX SERIES

1 . THE FLOW OF CEREBROSPINAL FLUID Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear fluid found within the ventricles (cavities) of the brain, central canal of spinal cord and beneath the cranial and spinal meninges in the subarachnoid space. It protects and nourishes the brain and spinal. The meninges (dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater) are the three membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord. Cerebrospinal fluid is located in the subarachnoid space between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater. The primary function of the meninges is to protect the central nervous system. The whole process begins when cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) is produced by the choroid plexus in the lateral ventricles. Cerebrospinal fluid will flow through an opening called the foramen of monro to enter the third ventricle. From the third ventricle, the cerebral spinal fluid continues to flow downward into the fourth ventricle passing through a passageway called cerebral aqueduct/aqueduct of silvius. In the fo

  MENINGITIS IN CHILDREN Meningitis is the condition of the central nervous system in which there is inflammation of the meninges (outer layer covering the brain and spinal cord), caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, characterized by fever, neck stiffness, fit and altered level of consciousness. Normally, the brain and spinal cord are covered by the meninges. The meninges are arranged in three layers, thus: dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater. The layer that touches the brain tissue is called the pia mater. The following and middle layer is called the arachnoid mater. The outermost and toughest layer is called the dura mater. The space between the skull bones and the dura mater is called the epidural space. The space between the dura mater and arachnoid mater is called subdural space. The space between the arachnoid mater and pia mater is called subarachnoid space. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulate around the brain and spinal cord via this space.