🌟 Spina Bifida A type of neural tube defect affecting the spinal cord and vertebral column 🩺 Definition: Spina bifida is a congenital neural tube defect (NTD) where the spinal column fails to close completely during early fetal development, leading to exposure or protrusion of spinal cord and/or meninges. It is usually classified into three main types: 🔍 Etiology (Causes): Spina bifida is multifactorial, involving both genetic and environmental influences.