myelomeningocele

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.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

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]

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

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.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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).

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

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.

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

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]

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

myelomeningocele

See MENINGOMYELOCELE.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005