A malformation of the spinal column in which a tumorlike sack is produced on the infant’s back.
The most severe type of spina bifida, characterized by increased intracranial pressure, meningocele, hydrocephalus, paraplegia, and the inability to control urinary bladder or rectum.
A congenital defect in the walls of the spinal canal caused by a lack of union between the laminae of the vertebrae. The lumbar portion is the section chiefly affected. The consequences of this defect may include urinary incontinence, saddle or limb anesthesia, gait disturbances, and structural changes in the pelvis.