Which statement best describes protrusion of meninges and spinal cord through a vertebral opening?

• A. Meningocele
• B. Myelomeningocele
• C. Spina bifida occulta
• D. Tethered cord

Answer: (B)

Protrusion of both the meninges and the spinal cord through a vertebral defect is myelomeningocele, a severe open neural tube defect. In this condition, the spinal cord along with the protective coverings herniates through a gap in the vertebral arch and is often exposed at birth, leading to neurological deficits below the level of the lesion and requiring early surgical closure. This differs from meningocele, where only the meninges protrude while the spinal cord remains in place; spina bifida occulta, where there is a vertebral defect with no protrusion of meninges or spinal cord; and tethered cord, where the cord is abnormally attached and gets stretched as a child grows but there is no herniation through the vertebral opening.