Spina Bifida
Julia was born with Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida is a fault in the spinal column in which one or more vertebrae (the bones which form the backbone) fail to form properly, leaving a gap or split.
The Central Nervous System
The central nervous system is the mechanism which enables us to move, feel, taste and see. It is an extremely complicated and potentially vulnerable system. Its most important component is the spinal cord. This is the main communication system for the body and because it is so vital, it has to be adequately protected.
The Spine
The spine is made up of 33 bones or vertebrae. The vertebrae have two main functions. One is to provide anchorage for muscles so that we can move as we dictate to those muscles. The other is to provide protection to the spinal cord.
The Neural Tube
The spinal cord and the spine form part of the neural tube. This develops very early in pregnancy - within the first 25 days after conception. The brain and the spinal tube develop from this neural tube. Spina bifida is caused by the failure of the tube to develop properly. Instead of the posterior (backward) protective arm being whole it is divided - that is, bifid. The fault may occur in one or more of the vertebrae but is most common around waist level.
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