Definition

Noun: A severe type of spina bifida, which is a congenital defect of the central nervous system. In this condition, a sac containing part of the spinal cord and its meninges (the protective membranes) protrudes through an opening in the bones of the vertebral column (spine). This condition is frequently associated with other complications, such as hydrocephalus (excess fluid in the brain) and intellectual disability.

Usage Examples

• The prenatal ultrasound revealed a myelomeningocele, leading to a detailed discussion about treatment options after birth.
• Surgery to repair the myelomeningocele is typically performed within the first few days of an infant's life.
• Children born with myelomeningocele often require lifelong multidisciplinary care to manage associated physical and neurological challenges.

Advanced Usage

• Medical Context: The term is used almost exclusively in medical, clinical, and scientific contexts. It is a specific diagnostic term within the broader category of neural tube defects.
• Severity Indicator: Within the spectrum of spina bifida, myelomeningocele is considered the most severe form because the neural tissue itself is exposed and damaged.

Variants and Related Words

• Spina Bifida (n): The general term for a range of birth defects involving incomplete closing of the spine and membranes around the spinal cord. Myelomeningocele is the most common and serious form.
• Meningocele (n): A less severe form of spina bifida where only the meninges protrude through the spinal opening, but the spinal cord is not involved in the sac.
• Neural Tube Defect (n): The broad category of congenital abnormalities that includes myelomeningocele, anencephaly, and encephalocele.

Synonyms

• Open Spina Bifida (This is a descriptive synonym used in medical contexts to contrast with "closed" or occult forms).
• Spina Bifida Cystica (An older, broader term that encompassed both myelomeningocele and meningocele).

Related Terms and Phrases

• Folic Acid Supplementation: A primary preventive measure recommended to reduce the risk of neural tube defects like myelomeningocele.
• Fetal Surgery: An advanced prenatal procedure sometimes performed to repair a myelomeningocele before birth.
• Hydrocephalus: A frequent co-occurring condition involving the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, often managed with a shunt in individuals with myelomeningocele.
• Arnold-Chiari Malformation (Type II): A related brain abnormality almost always present in cases of myelomeningocele, where part of the brain extends into the spinal canal.

Noun

1. a congenital defect of the central nervous system in which a sac containing part of the spinal cord and its meninges protrude through a gap in the vertebral column; frequently accompanied by hydrocephalus and mental retardation