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Glite Dictionary
rachischisis

rachischisis

9.9
A birth defect where part of the backbone does not form and the nerves in the back may be exposed
  • noun
  • /ˌrɑːkɪˈskaɪsɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : rachischisis
  • The prenatal scan revealed a case of rachischisis in the developing fetus.

Examples

  • The baby was diagnosed with rachischisis at birth.

  • Diagnosing rachischisis early can improve outcomes for infants with spinal defects.

  • If left untreated, rachischisis can sometimes lead to neurological complications.

  • Doctors explained that rachischisis can lead to serious complications.

  • The prenatal scan revealed a case of rachischisis in the developing fetus.

  • Diagnosing rachischisis early can improve outcomes for infants with spinal defects.

  • If left untreated, rachischisis can sometimes lead to neurological complications.

Synonyms

spina bifida
vsrachischisis
  • Specialized
7 7.2

A birth problem where the spine does not close and the spinal cord may stick out

is a vertebral malformation that may or may not expose the spinal cord
schistorrhachis
vsrachischisis
  • Specialized
9.9

A part of the spine that forms wrong from birth

involves malformed vertebrae that can expose spinal cord tissue

Surface Forms

rachischisis singular
rachischises plural

Morphology

rachischisis = rachis + schisis (opaque) = rachi + schisis

The term is a technical medical compound formed from Greek combining forms and is not transparently interpretable for average learners.

Etymology

The word rachischisis comes from Greek parts rachis meaning 'spine' and schisis meaning 'split'. So, rachischisis literally means a 'split spine', which explains the condition where the backbone does not close and the spinal cord can be exposed.