What is Chiari malformation?

What is Chiari malformation?

Chiari malformation is a condition in which brain tissue in the lower back part of your skull is forced into the spinal canal. Most of the time, this happens because of a structural problem –- a misshaped or smaller-than-normal part of the skull. Because there is not enough room in the skull, part of the brain, specifically the cerebellum, grows downward into the spinal canal. This can cause compression on the brain at the base of your skull. Brain tissue in the spinal canal can block the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid cushions the brain and spinal cord, circulates nutrients and chemicals and removes waste products.