Spina Bifida

Question 1

What are the three types of spina bifida in order from least severe to most severe?

Answer 1

Spina bifida occulta
Spina bifida cystica meningocele
Spina bifida cystica myelomeningocele

Question 2

What defect is the result fo spina bifida occulta?

Answer 2

Neural arch of one or more vertebrae is incomplete

Question 3

The neural arches are induced by the roof plate of the neural tube with the mediation of…?

Answer 3

Msx2

Question 4

Which type of spina bifida is often asymptomatic?

Answer 4

Spina bifida occulta

Question 5

Why is the defect in spina bifida occulta often marked with a tuft of hair?

Answer 5

Due to the inductive influences from the neural tube or its coverings which are normally masked from the overlying ectoderm by the neural arch but this does not happen in spina fbifida occulta due to the incomplete development of the neural arch

Question 6

The dura mater is often missing in the area of the defect leaving the arachnoid layer bulging prominently beneath the skin in which type of spina bifida?

Answer 6

Spina bifida cystica meningocele

Question 7

What are the features of spina bifida myelomeningocele?

Answer 7

Spinal cord bulges or is entirely displaced into the protruding subarachnoid space
Incontinence problems
Lower body weakness

Question 8

Spina bifida is a result of the failure of what neuropore to close?

Answer 8

Posterior neuropore

Question 9

Deficiency of which vitamin in the early stages of pregnancy can lead to neural tube defects such as spina bifida?

Answer 9

Vitamin b9 - folic acid

Question 10

Neural tube defects often give raised levels of what protein in maternal serum?

Answer 10

Alpha feto protein

Question 11

Why is flour not fortified with folic acid in Europe to prevent neural tube defects as it is in the USA?

Answer 11

Because folic acid supplementation can mask vitamin b12 deficiency