[Anatomical and physiological fundamentals of cerebrospinal fluid production and drainage (author's transl)].

After presenting some incontestable facts of CSF-physiology the actual and quite controversial opinions on ventricular and extraventricular sources of CSF as well as the mechanism of CSF-absorption are discussed. Finally the important role of the CSF sytem in the brain-metabolism is opposed to the well known function of brain support and protection.