Final answer:
Syringomyelia is a neurological disorder where a cystic cavity, called a syrinx, forms within the spinal cord's central canal, potentially causing pain, weakness, and stiffness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Syringomyelia is defined as a neurological disorder characterized by the development of a cystic cavity within the central canal of the spinal cord.
This cyst, known as a syrinx, can expand and elongate over time, damaging the spinal cord and leading to various symptoms, such as pain, weakness, and stiffness in the back, shoulders, arms, or legs.
The condition is often associated with abnormal fluid-filled spaces within the brain called the ventricles, where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is found. In contrast to other neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, syringomyelia specifically involves the formation of a cyst within the spinal cord.