Circulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the bullfrog, Rana catesbiana. 1979

P A Tornheim, and F M Foltz

In order to demonstrate features of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) path in the amphibian, 2--6 microliters of either Evans Blue-albumin (EBA) or ferrocyanide were injected into the ventricular system of anesthetized bullfrogs. The animals were sacrificed 1 to 135 minutes after injection by either quick freezing (EBA injections) or fixative perfusion (ferrocyanide injections). The contents of the cranial and vertebral cavities were then examined grossly and histologically for distribution of the tracers. In all animals, the tracers were seen throughout the ventricular cavity and in the subarachnoid space surrounding the caudal hindbrain. The site of communication between these two fluid spaces was the posterior tela of the hindbrain. Within this tela, "pores" were found between groups of pavement-like ependymal cells. In many animals, tracer was also observed in the vertebral subarachnoid and epidural spaces, adjacent to spinal nerve roots. In three EBA-injected animals, this tracer was also seen in the subcardinal lymph spaces. These findings suggest that the subarachnoid space in the bullfrog communicates functionally with the ventricular system by way of specialized "pores" in the posterior tela of the hindbrain. There is also indication of movement of fluid within the subarachnoid space which is predominately caudal in direction, with a primary absorptive path for CSF that consists of a perineural route to the lymphatic system.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008578 Meninges The three membranes that cover the BRAIN and the SPINAL CORD. They are the dura mater, the arachnoid, and the pia mater.
D011892 Rana catesbeiana A species of the family Ranidae (true frogs). The only anuran properly referred to by the common name "bullfrog", it is the largest native anuran in North America. Bullfrog,Bullfrogs,Rana catesbeianas,catesbeiana, Rana
D002552 Cerebral Ventricles Four CSF-filled (see CEREBROSPINAL FLUID) cavities within the cerebral hemispheres (LATERAL VENTRICLES), in the midline (THIRD VENTRICLE) and within the PONS and MEDULLA OBLONGATA (FOURTH VENTRICLE). Foramen of Monro,Cerebral Ventricular System,Cerebral Ventricle,Cerebral Ventricular Systems,Monro Foramen,System, Cerebral Ventricular,Systems, Cerebral Ventricular,Ventricle, Cerebral,Ventricles, Cerebral,Ventricular System, Cerebral,Ventricular Systems, Cerebral
D002555 Cerebrospinal Fluid A watery fluid that is continuously produced in the CHOROID PLEXUS and circulates around the surface of the BRAIN; SPINAL CORD; and in the CEREBRAL VENTRICLES. Cerebro Spinal Fluid,Cerebro Spinal Fluids,Cerebrospinal Fluids,Fluid, Cerebro Spinal,Fluid, Cerebrospinal,Fluids, Cerebro Spinal,Fluids, Cerebrospinal,Spinal Fluid, Cerebro,Spinal Fluids, Cerebro
D002831 Choroid Plexus A villous structure of tangled masses of BLOOD VESSELS contained within the third, lateral, and fourth ventricles of the BRAIN. It regulates part of the production and composition of CEREBROSPINAL FLUID. Chorioid Plexus,Plexus Choroideus,Choroideus, Plexus,Plexus, Chorioid,Plexus, Choroid
D004805 Ependyma A thin membrane that lines the CEREBRAL VENTRICLES and the central canal of the SPINAL CORD. Ependymas
D004824 Epidural Space Space between the dura mater and the walls of the vertebral canal. Epidural Spaces,Space, Epidural,Spaces, Epidural
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001001 Anura An order of the class Amphibia, which includes several families of frogs and toads. They are characterized by well developed hind limbs adapted for jumping, fused head and trunk and webbed toes. The term "toad" is ambiguous and is properly applied only to the family Bufonidae. Bombina,Frogs and Toads,Salientia,Toad, Fire-Bellied,Toads and Frogs,Anuras,Fire-Bellied Toad,Fire-Bellied Toads,Salientias,Toad, Fire Bellied,Toads, Fire-Bellied
D013115 Spinal Canal The cavity within the SPINAL COLUMN through which the SPINAL CORD passes. Vertebral Canal,Vertebral Foramen,Vertebral Foramina,Canal, Spinal,Canal, Vertebral,Foramen, Vertebral,Foramina, Vertebral,Spinal Canals,Vertebral Canals,Vertebral Foramens

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