Shunt

A shunt is a device designed to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain and carry it to other parts of the body. A one-way valve[?] is used, which usually sits outside the skull, but beneath the skin, somewhere behind the ear.

Although a shunt generally works well, it may stop working if it disconnects, becomes blocked, or it is outgrown. If this happens the cerebrospinal fluid will begin to accumulate again and a number of physical symptoms will develop.

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See also:

• Shunt in electronics