What is spina bifida myelomeningocele?

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Multiple Choice

What is spina bifida myelomeningocele?

Spina bifida myelomeningocele is the most severe form of spina bifida, a neural tube defect that occurs when the vertebral arches fail to fuse properly. In this form, the spinal cord and meninges protrude through a gap in the spine and are exposed in a sac, often with cerebrospinal fluid. Because neural tissue and nerve roots are exposed and can be damaged, this presentation is the most severe among spina bifida variants. The statement describing an extensive spinal opening with exposed CSF, meninges, and nerve roots best captures this condition. The other descriptions don’t fit: involvement of only one vertebrae doesn’t convey the tissue exposure and neural involvement; no spinal column defect would describe a normal spine; infection of the meninges is meningitis, not spina bifida.

Spina bifida myelomeningocele is the most severe form of spina bifida, a neural tube defect that occurs when the vertebral arches fail to fuse properly. In this form, the spinal cord and meninges protrude through a gap in the spine and are exposed in a sac, often with cerebrospinal fluid. Because neural tissue and nerve roots are exposed and can be damaged, this presentation is the most severe among spina bifida variants. The statement describing an extensive spinal opening with exposed CSF, meninges, and nerve roots best captures this condition. The other descriptions don’t fit: involvement of only one vertebrae doesn’t convey the tissue exposure and neural involvement; no spinal column defect would describe a normal spine; infection of the meninges is meningitis, not spina bifida.

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