myelomeningocele

[mi″ĕ-lo-mĕ-ning´go-sēl] hernial protrusion of the spinal cord and its meninges through a defect in the vertebral arch (spina bifida); see also neural tube defect. Called also meningomyelocele.

Child with a large thoraco-lumbar myelomeningocele consisting of protruding spinal cord covered by meninges. From Mueller and Young, 2001.

me·nin·go·my·e·lo·cele

(mĕ-ning'gō-mī'ĕ-lō-sēl'), Protrusion of the spinal cord and its membranes through a defect in the vertebral column. Synonym(s): myelocystomeningocele, myelomeningocele [meningo- + G. myelos, marrow, + kēlē, tumor]

myelomeningocele

(mī′ə-lō-mə-nĭng′gə-sēl′)n. A severe form of spina bifida in which the meninges and spinal cord protrude through a defect in the vertebral column.

meningomyelocele

Protrusion of the spinal meninges and cord through a defect of the vertebral column, usually at the distal end; when accompanied by a bone defect, it is termed spina bifida.
Epidemiology
1:5000 births.
Other findings
Often accompanied by midline defects—e.g., of the anus, heart and trachea (tracheo-oesophageal fistulas).

myelomeningocele

Neonatology A common birth defect characterized by nonclosure of the vertebral and spinal canal, resulting in protrusion of spinal cord and covering meninges from the dorsal surface; spina bifida is a more generic term which includes any defect characterized by incomplete spinal closure; myelomeningocele accounts for ±75% of all spina bifida, affecting ±1/800 infants; most of the rest are spina bifida occulta–the vertebral arches don't close, the spinal cord and meninges are simply covered by skin, and meningoceles–in which the meninges protrude through the vertebral defect while the spinal cord remains in place Etiology Unknown; folic acid deficiency may play a part in neural tube defects; it has a familial tendency, possibly triggered by a viral infection or environmental factors–eg, radiation; protrusion of cord and meninges damages the spinal cord and nerve roots, compromising function at or below the defect; most defects are lower lumbar or sacral, as these regions are the last to close in the early embryo Clinical Partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, bladder or bowel control; the exposed cord is at risk for infection. See Hydrocephalus, Hip dislocation, Spina bifida, Syringomyelia.

me·nin·go·my·e·lo·cele

(mĕ-ning'gō-mī'ĕ-lō-sēl) Protrusion of the meninges and spinal cord through a defect in the vertebral column.
Synonym(s): myelocystomeningocele, myelomeningocele. [meningo- + G. myelos, marrow, + kēlē, tumor]

myelomeningocele

See MENINGOMYELOCELE.

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Words related to myelomeningocele

noun 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

Related Words