Q06.2: Diastematomyelia

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, splitting the inside of your spinal canal into two halves lengthways. This kind of gap arises because an additional soft or bony wall forms in the spinal canal during the time in the womb. Usually, only a certain area of the spinal cord is affected. It is also possible that the vertebrae in this area have not developed properly or there are other malformations.

The malformation can manifest itself in different ways, depending on which area of the spinal cord has not developed properly. This can cause pain, for example. It is also possible that areas of the body are not able to move normally or feel numb. You may also not be able to urinate or defecate properly either. But it is also possible that there are no signs of the malformation.