Syringomyelia (sih-ring-go-my-E-lee-uh) is the development of a fluid-filled cyst within the spinal cord. The cyst, which is sometimes called a syrinx, can grow larger over time. When it does, it can damage the spinal cord and cause pain, weakness and stiffness.

Syringomyelia is a rare disorder in which a fluid-filled cyst forms within your spinal cord. This cyst is referred to as a syrinx and the fluid making up the cyst is called cerebrospinal fluid, also referred to as CSF fluid. As the syrinx expands and lengthens over time, it compresses and damages part of your spinal cord from its center outward.

Syringomyelia is a disorder in which a fluid-filled cyst forms in the spinal cord. Called a syrinx, the cyst grows over time. It most commonly starts in the area of the neck, but it can extend down along the entire length of the spinal cord. The cyst ultimately destroys the center of the spinal cord.

Syringomyelia is a condition in which a cavity forms in the spinal cord and fills with cerebrospinal fluid, the liquid that cushions your brain and spinal cord. The condition is often caused when a Chiari malformation blocks the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid. The fluid-filled cavity is also known as a syrinx.