spina bifida

American  

[bif-i-duh] / ˈbɪf ɪ də /

noun

Pathology.

1. a congenital neural tube defect in which part of the meninges or spinal cord protrudes through the spinal column, often resulting in neurological impairment.

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spina bifida British  

/ ˈspaɪnə ˈbɪfɪdə /

noun

1. a congenital condition in which the meninges of the spinal cord protrude through a gap in the backbone, sometimes causing enlargement of the skull (due to accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid) and paralysis

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spina bifida Scientific  

/ spī′nəbĭf′ĭ-də /

1. A congenital defect caused by incomplete formation of the neural tube, in which the vertebral column is not fully closed, resulting in protrusion of the meninges and sometimes the spinal cord. Damage to the exposed spinal cord can cause neurological abnormalites, including paralysis.

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spina bifida Cultural  

1. A congenital condition that involves an imperfectly closed spinal column, often resulting in neurological disorders.

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Etymology

Origin of spina bifida

1710–20; < New Latin, Latin: cloven backbone

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spina bifida

Her son, who is referred to as J.M. in the complaint, is nonverbal and autistic and has spina bifida and hydrocephalus.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 2026

According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, the daughter, Hope, is in her 20s and was born with spina bifida, which her father previously cited as motivating him to get into state politics.

From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2025

Memoirs like Riva Lehrer’s Golem Girl, about spina bifida, and Jami Lin Nakamura’s The Night Parade, about mental illness, use monsters and monstrosity to discuss disability.

From Slate ● Oct. 28, 2024

Cases of spina bifida dropped 31% and anencephaly declined by 16% after the fortification mandate, according to a federal study cited in the journal Teratology.

From Seattle Times ● May 15, 2024

It is supposed to originate from universal pressure on the brain, and is said to be produced by compressing the spinal marrow, where there is a deficiency of the bone in the spina bifida.

From Zoonomia, Vol. II Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus