neural tube defect

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. any of a group of congenital abnormalities involving the brain and spinal cord, including spina bifida and meningocele, caused by failure of the neural tube to close properly during embryonic development.

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Etymology

Origin of neural tube defect

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

neural tube defect

When this process fails, babies can have something called a neural tube defect, which includes spina bifida where, in the severest form, the spine is exposed and can be damaged.

From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2023

"Each neural tube defect is a tragedy - I see no reason not to move to a higher level of fortification."

From BBC ● Feb. 1, 2023

Hall's fetus was diagnosed with anencephaly, a neural tube defect in which the brain, skull and scalp do not develop properly in the womb.

From Salon ● Sep. 21, 2022

The zygote might possess multiple sets of chromosomes, which will result in a neural tube defect in the developing fetus.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

My youngest kid was born with a neural tube defect called spina bifida.

From Slate ● Oct. 1, 2018