Craniovertebral decompression

A surgical operation which aims to expand the internal dimensions of the craniovertebral junctionThat part of the body where the base of the skull is joined to the top of the spine. Inside these bony enclosures, the craniovertebral junction is also where the brain stem continues downwards as the spinal cord. and, thereby, relieve compression of the neural elementsThe brain, the spinal cord and the nerves that connect these structures to all parts of the body can be referred to as neural elements, to distinguish them from other parts, in particular their protective coverings, such as the meninges and skeletal elements. within, and/or to improve the flow of cerebrospinal fluidThis clear, water-like fluid forms, for the most part, within the brain, more specifically inside the ventricles of the brain. Blood flows through structures inside the ventricles, called the choroid plexuses, and clear fluid is produced as a result, passing into the ventricle. This process is akin to blood flowing through the kidneys and urine being produced as a result. An important difference is that, unlike urine, the cerebrospinal fluid is not passed out of the body periodically. Instead, the fluid is re-absorbed back into the blood stream, mostly via the arachnoid granulations, into the cerebral venous sinuses. In the course of a 24-hour period, most healthy adults will produce about 500mls (or a pint) of cerebrospinal fluid, although at... across the craniovertebral junctionThat part of the body where the base of the skull is joined to the top of the spine. Inside these bony enclosures, the craniovertebral junction is also where the brain stem continues downwards as the spinal cord..