A neural tube defect arises when the neural tube, the embryonic precursor of the brain and spinal cord, fails to close during neurulation. The cranial region (anencephaly) or the low spine (open spina bifida; myelomeningocele) are most commonly affected although, in the severe NTD craniorachischisis, almost the entire neural tube remains open, from midbrain to low spine. [ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19808787 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0736-9199 ]
Synonyms: Abnormality of neural tube closure
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- has part some (
process quality and
characteristic of some neural tube closure and
has modifier some abnormal)