What happens to the vertebrae when a person has spina bifida?
Spina bifida can happen anywhere along the spine if the neural tube does not close all the way. When the neural tube doesn’t close all the way, the backbone that protects the spinal cord doesn’t form and close as it should. This often results in damage to the spinal cord and nerves.
What vertebrae are affected by spina bifida?
The nervous system tissue of the spinal cord can also be affected. This can occur anywhere along the length of the spinal column. Those that occur in the spine are categorized under the term “spina bifida”, and 80% of these are located in the lumbar and sacral areas (lower back) of the spine.
Which skeletal division is affected in spina bifida?
Spina bifida is a condition where the bones in the vertebral column do not fully cover the spinal cord, leaving it exposed. Symptoms range from mild to severe, and it can affect physical and intellectual development.
What is cervical spina bifida?
Spina bifida is an NTD characterized by herniation of meninges and spinal cord (Fig. 6, panel a: myelomeningocele) or meninges only (Fig. 6, panel b: meningocele). Lesion can be open or closed. Hydrocephalus is a common complication, especially among children with open myelomeningocele.
How can spina bifida be corrected?
Currently, there is no cure for spina bifida, but there are a number of treatments available to help manage the disease and prevent complications. In some cases, if diagnosed before birth, the baby can undergo surgery while still in the womb in an effort to repair or minimize the spinal defect.
Which part of the nervous system is affected by spina bifida?
In a baby with spina bifida, the bones (vertebrae) of the spine fail to fuse. The spinal cord and nerves protrude (or ‘pop out’) through the gap that has been created due to a failure of closure of the neural tube. This can affect the nerves that spread from this area into the abdomen and legs.
How does spina bifida affect the skeletal system?
In babies with spina bifida, a portion of the neural tube doesn’t close or develop properly, causing defects in the spinal cord and in the bones of the spine. Spina bifida can range from mild to severe, depending on the type of defect, size, location and complications.
What is spina bifida PDF?
Spina bifida is a birth defect in which the vertebral column is open, often with spinal cord involvement. The most clinically significant subtype is myelomeningocele (open spina bifida), which is a condition characterized by failure of the lumbosacral spinal neural tube to close during embryonic development.
Can spina bifida occur in cervical spine?
Spina bifida is generally located in the lumbar or sacral regions, and extends over 2-3 vertebrae. On the other hand, the involvement of the cervical spine is often of the occulta type, where the defect is covered by skin and is limited to the bone.