Spina bifida

1.

(Med.) A congenital malformation in which the spinal column is cleft at its lower portion, and the membranes of the spinal cord project as an elastic swelling from the gap thus formed.

Noun

1.

spina bifida - a not uncommon congenital defect in which a vertebra is malformed; unless several vertebrae are affected or there is myelomeningocele there are few symptoms; can be diagnosed by amniocentesis Synonyms: rachischisis, schistorrhachis

birth defect, congenital abnormality, congenital anomaly, congenital defect, congenital disorder, rachischisis, schistorrhachis