Why Can an Infection in the Brain's Ventricles Usually Be

question 18

Multiple Choice

Why can an infection in the brain's ventricles usually be detected in spinal fluid obtained from the lower back (lumbar region) ?

• A) Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) originates in the ventricles, but percolates over and around the brain and spinal cord.
• B) There is a high degree of vascularity that exists, allowing easy transfer of bacteria in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the blood.
• C) There is a set of lymph nodes specifically in place to drain the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the ventricles. They are found in the lumbar region of the spinal column.
• D) This is an incorrect statement. Since the central nervous system (CNS) is a protected site due to the blood-brain barrier, there can never BE an infection in the ventricles.
• E) When ventricles are infected, the brain reacts by pumping the causative pathogens into the CFS so that they can be removed by the immune system.

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Definitions:

Absolute Value

The distance of a number from zero on the number line, without considering direction; always a non-negative number.

Set Notation

A systematic way of writing sets, often using curly braces and symbols to define elements and operations on sets.

Absolute Value Inequality

An inequality that involves the absolute value of an expression, requiring consideration of both the positive and negative cases.

Absolute Value Inequality

An inequality that involves the absolute value of a variable expression, requiring consideration of both positive and negative scenarios.