Q06: Other congenital malformations of spinal cord

Q06.1: Hypoplasia and dysplasia of spinal cord

The vertebrae form the spinal canal on the rear of the spinal column. The spinal cord runs in the spinal canal. Nerve fibers run from the brain into the body via the spinal cord and form nerves there. Every nerve is responsible for a particular part of the skin and for certain muscles. These nerves are important for instance in enabling you to feel and move the muscles.

While developing in the womb, many different types of tissue develop in the body. The organs and body parts develop out of the various types of tissue. If tissue fails to develop properly, defects can occur.

Your spinal cord has not developed properly. This means that the affected nerves do not work so well or at all.

The malformation can manifest itself in different ways, depending on which part of the spinal cord has not developed properly. You may no longer be able to move your arms or legs normally, for example. You may not be able to urinate properly either.