Meningocele is defined as what?

• A. The congenital herniation of the meninges through a defect in the skull or spinal column
• B. Protrusion of the spinal cord and meninges
• C. Rupture of the brain meninges
• D. Herniation of brain tissue through the skull

Answer: (A)

Meningocele is a congenital herniation of the meninges through a defect in the skull or spinal column, forming a sac that usually contains cerebrospinal fluid but not brain or spinal cord tissue. This specific description distinguishes it from other conditions: if the spinal cord protrudes with the meninges, it’s a myelomeningocele; if brain tissue protrudes through the skull, it’s an encephalocele. The essence is meninges pushing through a bony defect to create a fluid-filled sac, without neural tissue in the sac.