Is bifid spinous process the same as spina bifida?

Answer 1

No. A bifid spinous process is not the same. The word bifid means two branches off one process. There is one on the the second cervical vertebrae. It comes of a spinous process. This is a projection that forms what we call the spine. You can feel these down your back. Each vertebrae has one. It is considered a land mark. If you put a magic marker dot on each one, you can see if your spine curves left or right.

Spina bifida occurs when the spinal vertebrae don't fuse around the spinal cord as it should. The cord is damaged at that spot. A person with this has cord damage from that spot down. They may not be able to walk. If it is higher, they might not be able to breathe or walk or move their arms. It is similar to the effect of paralytic polio.