spina bifida

noun

spi·​na bi·​fi·​da ˌspī-nə-ˈbi-fə-də 

: a congenital cleft of the spinal column with hernial protrusion of the meninges and sometimes the spinal cord

Examples of spina bifida in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As an infant, Sophie was diagnosed with spina bifida, a condition that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don't form properly, according to the Mayo Clinic. —Emy Lacroix, People.com, 4 Feb. 2025

Valentina Guzman Murillo and her mother, Lizeth Murillo Ozuna, were on their way home to Mexico following Valentina’s treatment for a complication of spina bifida at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia. —Sam Gillette, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025

Examples of NTDs are spina bifida (incomplete formation of the spine and spinal cord) or anencephaly (incomplete formation of the brain and skull). —Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 8 Jan. 2025

About 1 in 2,875 babies is born with spina bifida in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Susan Young, People.com, 30 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, spine split in two

First Known Use

1720, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

spina bifida

noun

spina bi·​fi·​da

-ˈbif-ə-də also -ˈbīf-

: a neural tube defect marked by congenital cleft of the spinal column usually with hernial protrusion of the meninges and sometimes the spinal cord see meningocele, myelocele, myelomeningocele