spina bifida

Spina bifida is a birth defect in which there is incomplete closing of the spine and the membranes around the spinal cord during early development in pregnancy. There are three main types: spina bifida occulta, meningocele and myelomeningocele. Meningocele and myelomeningocele may be collectively referred to as spina bifida cystica due to the protrusion of the spinal cord and/or meninges through defects in the vertebral arches, resulting in a meningeal cyst. The most common location is the lower back, but in rare cases it may be in the middle back or neck.