meningocele

Meningocele is a congenital disorder and a type of neural tube defect that occurs when the embryonic neural tube fails to close properly during early fetal development. This defect is a form of spina bifida, where the vertebrae do not fully enclose the spinal cord.

In meningocele, the meninges, which are the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, protrude through the vertebral defect, forming a fluid-filled sac that may be visible through the skin. Unlike more severe forms, the sac in meningocele typically does not contain nervous tissue itself, though it is a defect of the spinal column. While often less severe than other neural tube defects, it can still lead to complications and may require surgical intervention.12