Hydrocephalus By Bayindir Citak “Water Brain”

Hydrocephalus Hydrocephalus is- The causes are- It affects someone by- The current treatment is- Works Cited

Before one understands Hydrocephalus, one must first understand cerebrospinal fluid. In the brain’s Ventricular System, there are 4 ventricles. Ventricles are cavities in the brain through which Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flows on its way to be mixed with the blood stream. Cerebrospinal fluid is made in the walls of the ventricles. Cerebrospinal fluid has 4 main purposes. –Its fluid state protects the brain by cushioning it from any impact. –It immerses the brain in fluid, thus keeping it lighter to the neck. –Its constant flowing keeps dangerous substances out of the brain. –Thought it keeps harmful substances out, it still can transfer hormones throughout the brain.

Hydrocephalus- the buildup of cerebrospinal fluids in ventricles of the brain.

Causes of Hydrocephalus The two main causes of Hydrocephalus is the ventricles making more cerebrospinal fluid than they can handle and a tumor or some form of blockage in the drainage of CSF. With too much of this fluid, the ventricles are filled up and cannot drain. This causes the ventricles to inflate thus causing the brain and skull to enlarge.

Effects of Hydrocephalus Due to the inability to drain the cerebrospinal fluid from the ventricles- –The ventricles grow uncontrollably causing the tissue of the brain can be crushed and damaged. With damaged tissues, mental retardation can occur. Also the large ventricles force the rest of the brain outward, this causes the head to grow to keep the brain from getting more crushed than it already is. –The flow of cerebrospinal fluid is interrupted, disallowing movement of hormones throughout the brain, and excretion of waste from the brain.

The Current Treatment The practiced treatment for Hydrocephalus is the placement of a shunt system* attaching the ventricle to a place where its cerebrospinal fluids can be absorbed by the circulatory system. *A shunt system consists of a flexible tube (catheter), a diverting switch (shunt), and a valve to turn drainage on and off.

Work Cited "Curious Expeditions: Historical Archives." Curious Expeditions. 12 May Jan "Hydrocephalus Fact Sheet." National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. 11 Dec NINDS. 22 Jan "Hydrocephalus, Cincinati Children's Hospital Medical Center." Cincinati Children's. 22 Jan Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. 22 Jan. 2008