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A shunt is any small tube designed for medical use to allow fluid to drain from one part of the body to the other. On occasion, they contain one-way valves to allow the fluid to only flow in one direction. They can be inserted temporarily to treat an acute condition, or permanently for treatment of a chronic condition. Some of the uses of shunts are:

  • The cerebral shunt, placed beneath the skin and above the skull near the ear to allow excess cerebrospinal fluid to drain into the body.
  • The lumbar-peritoneal shunt from the brain to the peritoneal cavity, also to allow excess cerebrospinal fluid to drain.
  • A portacaval shunt, to treat high blood pressure in the liver.

Medical shunt at Wikipedia

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