Spina bifida

A neural tube defect resulting from the improper closure of the fetal spine. Folic acid reduces the likelihood of spina bifida , and women are advised to take supplements (in the ...

spina bifida

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

A neural tube birth defect in which there are malformations of vertebrae and the protrusion of the spinal cord from the body. This can result in paralysis of the legs, loss of ...

spina bifida

Health care; Women’s health

Spina bifida is the most common of all birth defects. Its name means "clef spine," or a failure of a fetal spine to close the right way when it is developing before birth. It ...

spina bifida

Health care; General

A birth defect caused by imperfect closure of part of the spinal column, exposing some of the nervous system.

medial longitudinal fasciculus

Biology; Neuroscience

Axon tract that carries excitatory projections from the abducens nucleus to the contralateral oculomotor nucleus; important in coordinating conjugate eye movements.

commissures

Biology; Neuroscience

Axon tracts that cross the midline of the brain. See also anterior commissure.

postganglionic axons

Biology; Neuroscience

Axons that link visceral motor neurons in autonomic ganglia to their targets.

climbing fibers

Biology; Neuroscience

Axons that originate in the inferior olive, ascend through the inferior cerebellar peduncle, and make terminal arborizations that invest the dendritic tree of Purkinje cells.