2. Anatomy
• In humans, the vertebral column usually consists of
33 vertebrae, placed in series and connected by ligaments
and intervertebral discs. However, the number
of vertebrae can vary between 32 and 35. Usually there are 7
cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 4 caudal
(coccygeal) vertebrae.
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6. Definition
Spina bifida is the congenital defect of the spinal column due to failure
of the fusion of vertebral arches with or without protusion of the
meninges and dysplasia (abnormal growth of cells within tissue or
organs) of the spinal cord.
It is the malformation of the spine in which the posterior portion of the
lamina of the vertebra fails to close.