Final answer:
The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) functions as a protective cushion for the brain and spinal cord while also circulating nutrients, removing waste, and helping maintain optimal intracranial pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main function of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is to serve as a cushion or a physical layer of protection for the brain and spinal cord. It helps to protect these critical components of the central nervous system (CNS) from injury by providing a liquid cushion within the subarachnoid space, which encases them in a thin buffer. The CSF also has several other important roles, including the circulation of nutrients, removal of metabolic wastes, and contributing to the regulation of intracranial pressure which facilitates adequate blood perfusion preventing brain ischemia.
Produced continually by ependymal cells in the choroid plexuses within the ventricles of the brain, CSF circulates through the CNS and is then reabsorbed into the bloodstream through arachnoid granulations. If the production or absorption of CSF is disrupted, conditions such as hydrocephalus can occur, leading to increased pressure on the brain and causing neurological issues. The CSF also contributes to the blood-brain barrier, which safeguards the brain from pathogens and regulates the exchange of materials between the bloodstream and the nervous tissue.