Final answer:
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear fluid that cushions and provides immunological protection for the brain and spinal cord, circulates nutrients, and removes waste. It is produced by the choroid plexuses in the brain's ventricles, and its circulation is essential for the functioning of the CNS.
Step-by-step explanation:
A clear serum-like fluid that provides nutrition for the CNS as well as a liquid cushion for the brain and spinal cord is known as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This clear fluid is produced by the brain and forms a thin layer within the meninges. CSF occupies the space between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater, filling the ventricular system around and inside the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord. It acts as a buffer, providing mechanical and immunological protection within the skull. Additionally, CSF circulates through the CNS, delivering nutrients, removing waste products, and functioning as a protective cushion for the delicate tissues of the brain and spinal cord.
CSF is continuously produced by the filtration of blood at the choroid plexuses located in the four ventricles of the brain, circulating through the ventricles to the subarachnoid space and eventually being reabsorbed into the bloodstream. The production and circulation of CSF are crucial for maintaining the homeostasis and optimal function of the CNS.