{"id":10682,"date":"2026-03-11T21:04:40","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T21:04:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flushinghospital.org\/newsletter\/?p=10682"},"modified":"2026-03-11T21:04:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T21:04:40","slug":"basilar-invagination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flushinghospital.org\/newsletter\/basilar-invagination\/","title":{"rendered":"Basilar Invagination"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Basilar\u00a0invagination is a\u00a0rare\u00a0condition that occurs when the top of the spine gets pushed into the base of the skull. This can lead to pinching or pressure on the brainstem, which is the group of nerves connecting the brain\u00a0to the spinal cord. This condition is painful and can cause various neurological symptoms.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The spine is made of seven vertebrae\u00a0and is numbered from C1 to C7; this is called the cervical vertebrae.\u00a0The\u00a0C1\u00a0vertebrae\u00a0is at the top of\u00a0the spine,\u00a0supporting\u00a0the skull.\u00a0The C2\u00a0vertebrae\u00a0lies below the C1 and has an upward peg that enters a hole in the C1, which lets the C1 vertebrae\u00a0pivot\u00a0on the C2, allowing the head to turn sideways.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If the peg of the C2 vertebra moves too far upward into the C1 vertebra, it can put pressure on the brainstem. The brainstem normally passes from the skull into the spinal canal through an opening at the base of the skull called the foramen magnum.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In basilar invagination, the C2 vertebra moves upward toward this opening. As it pushes into the\u00a0foramen\u00a0magnum, the space for the brainstem becomes smaller. This reduced space can lead to compression of the brainstem.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Basilar invagination occurs when a person has problems with the\u00a0bones in the neck\u00a0or vertebrae. It can also\u00a0be caused by platybasia, which is the flattening of the base of the skull. Basilar invagination can be present at birth. However, it can develop later due to illness or injuries resulting from vehicle or\u00a0bicycle accidents, falls, or accidents during activities such as diving.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Basilar invagination may occur in people with conditions, such as:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n