Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

cerebritis
Inflammation of the brain. Cerebritis
can be caused by infection or inflammation from
disease.
cerebrospinal fluid
A watery fluid that is con-
tinuously produced and absorbed and that flows in
the ventricles within the brain and around the sur-
face of the brain and spinal cord. Abbreviated CSF.
CSF is produced by the choroid plexus, a series of
infolded blood vessels that project into the cerebral
ventricles, and it is absorbed into the venous system.
If production exceeds absorption, CSF pressure
rises, and the result is hydrocephalus. This can also
occur if the CSF pathways are obstructed, causing
the fluid to accumulate. The CSF obtained during a
lumbar puncture is analyzed to detect disease.
cerebrovascular accident
See 
stroke.
cerebrovascular disease
Disease of the arteries
that supply blood to the brain. Cerebrovascular dis-
ease is usually caused by atherosclerosis and can
lead to a stroke. See also 
atherosclerosis; stroke.
cerebrum
The largest part of the brain, which is
divided into two hemispheres (halves). The left and
right hemispheres are connected by two arching
bands of nerves (cerebral fornices). See also 
cere-
bral fornix.
ceruloplasmin deficiency
A genetic disorder
that is due to a lack of ceruloplasmin, a protein that
is involved in iron transport. The absence of cerulo-
plasmin leads to the abnormal deposition of iron in
the pancreas (causing diabetes), liver (causing cir-
rhosis), retina (damaging vision), and brain (caus-
ing dementia and Parkinson’s disease). Aggressive
treatment with deferoxamine, a chelating agent that
takes up iron, halts the progression of these com-
plications. Also known as aceruloplasminemia.