Health Care Encyclopedia
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CSF chemistry Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear fluid that circulates in the space surrounding the spinal cord and brain. CSF protects the brain and spinal cord from injury by acting like a liquid cushion. CSF is usually obtained through a lumbar puncture (spinal tap). During the procedure, a needle is inserted usually between the 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebrae and the CSF fluid is collected for testing.

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| Review Date: 11/5/2004 12:00:00 AM Reviewed By: Luc D. Jasmin, MD, PhD, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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