Medical Definition of Neural tube defect
1.
Abnormal development during embryonic life of the neural tube producing congenital malformations of the nervous system due to closure failure of the neural tube.
The structure gives rise to the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), and failure to close results in anencephaly (absence of the cranial vault and absence of most or all of the cerebral hemispheres of the brain) and spina bifida or meningomyelocele (open spina with exposure and protusion of the spinal cord).
The risk of neuroal tube defects can be decreased by the mother taking folic acid during pregnancy.
(04 Jul 1999)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Neural Tube Defect
Other Resources:
