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Pertaining to the heart, and vessels.

Also called the circulatory system or vascular system. An organ system that permits blood to circulate and transport nutrients to and from the cells in the body. 

The two main arteries which carry blood to the head and neck

Sudden and transient episodes of muscle weakness. Usually triggered by strong emotions. Seen in some people with Narcolepsy. 

Bundle of spinal nerves and nerve rootlets and finishes above the conus medullaris. 

At or near the posterior or tail end of the body

Severe burning pain in a limb/s caused by injury to the peripheral nerve.

Also called the ependymal canal. It is a cerebrospinal fluid-filled space that runs the length of the entire spinal cord from the ventricular space. Transports nutrients to the spinal cord and cushions against force. 

The part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord. 

A neurological condition caused by damage to dysfunction of the central nervous system. 

A condition where respiration ceases during sleep for at least 10 seconds. Caused usually by lack of signal from the brain to breathe. Commonly associated with Chiari malformation when brainstem compression is present.

Towards the head or anterior of the body

A headache: Pain in the head can be caused by dilation of cerebral arteries, blockage of cerebrospinal fluid or muscle contractions or drugs.

The herniation of the cerebellar tonsils outside of the skull into the spinal canal. 

The two hemispheres that make up the cerebellum on either side of the vermis. They are functionally subdivided into lateral and medial portions

Reduced volume of the cerebellum. 

Connect the cerebellum to the brainstem. There are 6 peduncles with 3 on each side. The superior cerebellar peduncle connects the cerebellum to the midbrain. The middle cerebellar peduncle connects the cerebellum to the pons. And finally the inferior cerebellar peduncles to the medulla oblongata. 

Also called cerebellar slumping, a complication from the Chiari decompression surgery when too much bone is removed and the cerebellum slumps down due to lack of support. 

Rounded lobule on the underside of each cerebellar hemisphere. When herniated out of the skull is called cerebellar ectopia or Chiari Malformation. 

The anterior cerebral artery (ACA) is one of a pair of arteries on the brain that supplies oxygenated blood to most midline portions of the frontal lobes and superior medial parietal lobes.

The outer layer of the cerebrum composed of folded grey matter and playing an important role in consciousness

Lateral parts of the cerebellum hemispheres involved in planning movement and evaluating sensory information for action.

A type of headache with referred from the cervical spine or soft tissues within the neck. 

The lower part of the brain under the cerebrum. Also known as the "little brain" or hindbrain. Has an important role in motor control, and has been considered (but not established) to have a role in cognitive functions such as attention, language, fear and pleasure. Disorders of the cerebellum produce issues with fine movement, equilibrium, posture and motor learning. It is made up of three lobes from top to bottom: the anterior lobe, posterior lobe and flocculonodular lobe. It is also made up of three layers: the Granular layer, Purkinje Layer and the molecular layer.

Is a clear, colourless fluid found in the brain and spinal cord. it is produced in the choroid plexuses of the ventricles of the brain and absorbed in the arachnoid granulations.

When the fluid contained within the spinal cord escapes through a tear or hole in the dura. 

The cerebrum makes up the largest part of the brain and is made up of two cerebral hemispheres. Contains the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, and temporal lobe. Sits above the brainstem and cerebellum.

Pertains to the upper region of the spine (neck region) and made up of 7 vertebrae (C1-C7). Sits above the thoracic spine. 

Can also refer to the neck of the uterus in gynaecology. 

The structural degeneration in the cervical (upper) region of the spine, which can lead to pain and impaired movement.

The junction between the base of the skull and brainstem and the cervical spine and spinal cord. Where the skull meets the spine. 

A syndrome that occurs from ventral brainstem compression, Symptoms can include a Chiari-type headache, dysautonomia, syncope, delayed gastric emptying, neck pain, central or mixed sleep apnoea, facial pain or numbness, balance and coordination issues, muscle weakness, vision problems, reduced gag reflex, dysphagia, tinnitus, hearing loss, nausea and vomiting, paralysis, non-epileptic seizures, and neck pain. 

The abnormal pattern of respiration that is marked by the cyclic increase and decrease in tidal volume. 

Not universally accepted, but defined as having classic Chiari-type symptoms, with little or no herniation. A controversial diagnosis  

The most common type of the Chiari Malformations and what most people refer to when speaking of Chiari. Characterised by posterior fossa hypoplasia that causes a herniation of the cerebellar tonsils outside of the skull into the spinal canal. Some radiologist/neurosurgeons still require a minimum of 5mm herniation to be defined as Chiari Malformation.  

Another type not fully established in the medical field. Describes the herniation of cerebellar tonsils along with herniation of a portion of the brainstem (often obex of the medulla oblongata). Usually a larger cerebellar herniation >12cm. Is not associated with the myelomeningocele seen in Chiari II. 

Sometimes referred to as Arnold Chiari Malformation where both the cerebellum, medulla and 4th ventricle herniate past the foramen magnum out of the skull. Usually associated with myelomeningocele.

An extremely rare type with low occipital and high cervical encephalocele where the cerebellum and/or brainstem herniates outside of the skull through a defect in the skull. Considered fatal either before or soon after birth. 

A very rare and fatal extreme cerebellar hypoplasia. Now considered an obsolete term. 

Someone who has Chiari, a group of people with Chiari. 

A group of malformations involving cerebellum. 

Is a plexus of the cells that produce the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles of the brain. It consists of modified ependymal cells.

Something persisting for a long time or constantly occurring. 

Also called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. A medical condition characterised by long-term fatigue that limits the person's ability to carry out normal daily activities. 

Pain that persists for at least 6 months or more. There are two type of chronic pain including nociceptive and neuropathic pain 

A specialised series used to observe cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow. The technician will attach a probe on your finger (oximeter) or electrodes on the chest to measure the heart rate. This is done as CSF moves with each beat of the heart. Multiple pictures are taken to create a "flipbook" to visualise the movement of the CSF. 

The middle part of the brain.

Also known as the cardiovascular or vascular system. Is an organ system the permits blood to circulate and transport nutrients throughout the body. 

Or cerebellomedullary cistern. Is one of the three principal openings in the subarachnoid space between the arachnoid and pia mater layers. Is located between the cerebellum and the dorsal surface of the medulla oblongata. Cerebrospinal fluid that is produced in the fourth ventricle drains in this area.

Name given to a series of neuronal projections that pass through the pons and enter the cerebellum via the inferior cerebellar peduncle. 

An angle used in radiology to show the angle of kinking in the brainstem. A line is made along the posterior side of the lower clivus and intersecting with a line drawn from the posterior side of the axis. A normal clivio-axial angle is between 150-165°. 

Is a bony part of the cranium at the skull base. 

The triangular arrangement of bone that makes up the very bottom portion of the spine below the sacrum. It represents a vestigial tail, hence the common term tailbone.

The main structural protein found in skin and other connective tissues.

Typically communicates through the obex located in the caudal portion of the fourth ventricle. Communicating Syringomyelia is typically associated with Chiari Malformation.  A communicating Syringomyelia can convert to a non-communicating one.

When no motor or sensory function is found below the level of the injury on the spine. 

Is when the cerebellar herniation is combined with one or more of the following: brainstem herniation, medullary kink, retroflexed odontoid, abnormal clival-cervical angle, occipitalization of the atlas, basilar invagination, syringomyelia or scoliosis. This group of chiarians have a higher chance of needing a higher amount of operative interventions. Including odontoid resection and craniocervical fusions.  

Also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) a pain disorder which includes swelling, limited range of movement, changes to skin and bones. CRPS I does not have evidence of peripheral nerve injury. CRPS II is related to a specific nerve injury. The pain and dysfunction persist long after the initial injury/damage. Is felt to be the altered perception of the central nervous system.

The development of central apnoeas when using CPAP. 

 A medical scan that uses x-rays and digital computer technology to create detailed two- or three-dimensional images of the body. Uses radiation as part of the process. 

A disease of abnormality present from birth

A round prominence at the end of the bone. 

Tissues that supports, connects, binds or separates other tissues or organs. Common connective tissue disorders include Ehlers-Danlos and Marfan's Syndrome. 

A form of positive airway pressure ventilator that splints the airway open on a continuous basis through air pushed down the airway. It is used in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea. 

Is the tapered lower end of the spinal cord. It terminates around L1 and L2, or lower in tethered cord syndromes. 

The bridge between the right and left hemispheres of the brain that allows information to pass between the two. 

Nerves that emerge from the brain and brainstem (compared to spinal nerves). There are 12 nerves that relay information between the brain and parts of the body. Chiari can impact IX, V, VIII, X.

I - Olfactory Nerve (smell)

II - Optic Nerve (visual information)

III - Oculomotor Nerve (eye movement)

IV - Trochlear Nerve (eye movement)

V - Trigeminal Nerve (sensation to the skin of the face and mastication/chewing)

VI - Abducens Nerve (eye movement)

VII - Facial Nerve (Facial expression)

VIII - Vestibulocochlear Nerve (hearing and balance)

IX - Glossopharyngeal Nerve (oral, taste and salivation)

X - Vagus Nerve (swallowing difficulties, blood pressure, heart rate)

XI - Accessory Nerve (shoulder elevation and head turning)

XII - Hypoglossal Nerve (tongue movement)​

Occurs when odontoid process protrudes into the foramen magnum from the skull sinking down. 

Surgical removal of a portion of the skull. A common part of the Chiari Decompression Surgery.

An area that includes the occipital bone, foramen magnum or first two cervical vertebrae. 

Either congenital or acquired abnormalities of the occipital bone, foramen magnum or first two cervical vertebrae that decrease the space for the lower brainstem and cervical cord. This includes: basilar invagination, atlantoaxial subluxation, Klippel-feil malformation, platybasia and fusion of the atlas (C1)

The skull, a bony structure that holds the brain.