Many people have ask me what the definition of spina bifida is. This is what I've been able to understand from what I've read and have been told over the years. Spina bifida is the failure of the neural tube to close during the development of a fetus. This results in a whole spectrum of effects for the baby when she or he is born.  Below, Spina Bifida is defined as I understand it.

The next set of drawings was taken from the Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus  -England

1- Spina bifida occulta: The spine itself hasn't fused in certain areas, but the skin above it is intact. The spinal cord is not involved and the child is a smyomatic and otherwise normal. Some people have this and don't even know it.
2- Meningocele: Both the spine and its overlying skin have failed to close. This results in a sac filled with spinal fluid, but the spinal cord is not involved. This needs to be closed surgically but the outlook for normal development in these kids is excellent (given no other abnormalities).
3-Myelomeningocele (spina bifida aperta): The spine and skin fail to close AND the spinal cord is involved in the defect and deformed. This results in at least partial and often complete paralysis below the level of the defect. Unfortunately, this is often associated with other problems as well. This is the type Andrew was born with.

Then there is Cranium Bifida

Here the bones of the skull fail to develop properly. The sac which forms is known as encephalocele. It may contain tissue and cerebro-spinal fluid only. However, in some cases, part of the brain may also be present in the sac resulting in brain damage.

The most severe forms of cranium bifida are iniencephaly and anencephaly. Here, the brain does not develop properly or is absent, and the baby is either stillborn or dies shortly after birth.

Here is a drawing that shows you the spinal nerves

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