What is the primary function of cerebrospinal fluid?

The primary function of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is to cushion and protect the brain and spinal cord. This clear fluid surrounds the central nervous system, acting as a shock absorber that helps prevent injury from sudden movements or impacts. Additionally, CSF plays a crucial role in maintaining the proper environment for the brain and spinal cord, aiding in the removal of waste products and providing buoyancy, which lowers the effective weight of the brain and reduces pressure on the base of the skull.

While providing nutrients to the brain and facilitating cell repair are important processes in overall brain health, those functions are not the primary roles of CSF. Similarly, the transmission of signals between neurons is primarily conducted through action potentials in nerve cells rather than through cerebrospinal fluid, which serves more of a protective and supportive function rather than a communicative one.