Rachischisis

Rachischisis
Classification and external resources
ICD-10 Q05, Q76.0
ICD-9 741, 756.17
MeSH C10.500.680.800

Rachischisis (Greek: "rhachis - ῥάχις" - spine, and "schisis - σχίσις" - split) is a developmental birth defect involving the neural tube. In utero, the neural tube fails to close completely. The anomaly originates as the posterior neuropore fail to close at the end of 27th intrauterine life. As a consequence the vertebrae overlying the open portion of the spinal cord do not fully form and remain unfused and open. Thus, the spinal cord is exposed. Patients with rachischisis have motor and sensory deficits, chronic infections, and disturbances in bladder function. This defect often occurs with anencephaly.

See also