spina bifida

noun

spi·​na bi·​fi·​da ˌspī-nə-ˈbi-fə-də How to pronounce spina bifida (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Henry was born with spina bifida, causing part of his spinal cord to project out of his back at birth, Erin said. Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 25 Oct. 2024 Henry, Erin shares, uses a wheelchair because he was diagnosed with spina bifida at birth and is paralyzed from the waist down. Victoria Edel, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024 Nicholas Wald, another British doctor, determined that neural tube defects such as spina bifida are mainly due to a lack of folate - an essential vitamin - in the mother's diet. Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 But at Kristin's 20-week anatomy scan in February, the Tylers were told that their baby might have spina bifida. Wendy Grossman Kantor, People.com, 7 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for spina bifida 

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, spine split in two

First Known Use

1720, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spina bifida was in 1720

Dictionary Entries Near spina bifida

Cite this Entry

“Spina bifida.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spina%20bifida. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!