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Medical Definition of Spinal dysraphism
1. Developmental abnormalities of the dorsal median region in the embryo, involving ectoderm, mesoderm, and neuroectoderm in varying degrees. Dysraphism signifies incomplete fusion or malformation of a seam or junction. Spinal dysraphism includes all forms of spina bifida. The open form is called spina bifida cystica and the closed form is spina bifida occulta. (12 Dec 1998)