Basilar Invagination

What Is Basilar Invagination?

Basilar invagination is when the top of your spine gets pushed into the base of your skull. It leads to pinching or pressure on the brain stem, which is a bundle of nerves connecting the brain to the spinal cord.

It can be painful and cause various neurological symptoms. Here’s all you need to know about basilar invagination.

What Is Basilar Invagination?

Basilar invagination is a rare condition that affects the junction where your head meets the neck. It occurs when your neck bone pushes into the opening at your skull’s base.

Your spine has 33 bones or vertebrae connected by discs. The spine protects the spinal cord and nerves, which connect your body to your brain.

What Causes Basilar Invagination?

Basilar invagination occurs when you have problems with the neck bones or vertebrae. It can also occur due to platybasia, which is the flattening of the skull’s base. Basilar invagination may be present at birth. But it can develop later due to injury or illness. Vehicle or bike accidents, falls, or accidents during activities like diving can cause basilar invagination.