Pl. spinae [L.] spine; a slender process such as occurs on many bones.
- s. bifida — a developmental anomaly characterized by defective closure of the two halves of the vertebral arch through which the spinal cord and meninges may or may not protrude.
- s. bifida cystica — spina bifida in which there is protrusion through the defect of a cystic swelling involving the meninges (meningocele), spinal cord (myelocele) or both (meningomyelocele).
- s. bifida occulta — spina bifida in which there is a defect of the bony spinal canal without protrusion of the cord or meninges.
- s. bifida ventralis — a defect of closure on the ventral surface of the bony spinal canal, often associated with defective development of the abdominal and thoracic viscera.
