meningocele: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low Frequency (Specialist Medical Term)Formal / Technical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “meningocele” mean?
A type of spina bifida where the protective membranes around the spinal cord (meninges) protrude through an opening in the spine, forming a fluid-filled sac.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of spina bifida where the protective membranes around the spinal cord (meninges) protrude through an opening in the spine, forming a fluid-filled sac.
A congenital neural tube defect. In medical contexts, it can be classified as a form of spina bifida cystica, specifically distinguished from myelomeningocele by the absence of spinal cord tissue within the sac. The term is sometimes used metonymically to refer to the surgical repair or management of this condition.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic or usage differences. Spelling and pronunciation are identical. The medical classification and diagnostic criteria are international.
Connotations
Purely clinical and descriptive in both varieties. Carries the same gravity associated with a birth defect.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, confined exclusively to medical literature, clinical discussions, and patient education materials for affected families.
Grammar
How to Use “meningocele” in a Sentence
[Patient] was diagnosed with a meningocele.The [surgeon/neurosurgeon] repaired the meningocele.[MRI/Ultrasound] revealed a meningocele at the L5 level.A meningocele is a type of [neural tube defect/spina bifida].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meningocele” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The neurosurgeons will meningocele the defect. (Note: This is NOT a real verb; the word is exclusively a noun. A valid sentence would use 'repair': 'The neurosurgeons will repair the meningocele.')
American English
- (See British note) The team decided to surgically correct the meningocele.
adjective
British English
- The meningocele repair was successful. (Note: 'meningocele' here is a noun used attributively, not a true adjective.)
American English
- The infant had a meningocele defect. (Attributive noun use.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Exclusively used in medical and biological sciences, particularly in paediatrics, neurosurgery, neurology, and embryology textbooks and research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used. A parent of a child with the condition might learn the term from medical professionals.
Technical
The primary and only register. Used in clinical notes, surgical reports, radiology descriptions, genetic counselling, and medical coding (e.g., ICD-10 code Q05.0).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “meningocele”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “meningocele”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meningocele”
- Misspelling as 'meningocoele' or 'meningocyle'.
- Mispronouncing the 'g' as hard /g/ instead of the soft /dʒ/ or /ŋɡ/.
- Confusing it with the more severe 'myelomeningocele', where the spinal cord is also involved.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a specific type of spina bifida, known as spina bifida cystica. Not all spina bifida cases involve a meningocele; spina bifida occulta, for example, is a milder, hidden form.
The prognosis varies greatly. A simple meningocele often has a good outcome with surgical repair, and many children walk normally. However, associated anomalies or a more complex defect can affect mobility.
The primary treatment is surgical repair, usually soon after birth, to place the meninges back inside the spinal canal and close the opening. The goal is to prevent infection and preserve neurological function.
It is considered a multifactorial birth defect, meaning it results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors (like low folic acid intake before and during early pregnancy). There is an increased recurrence risk in families.
A type of spina bifida where the protective membranes around the spinal cord (meninges) protrude through an opening in the spine, forming a fluid-filled sac.
Meningocele is usually formal / technical / medical in register.
Meningocele: in British English it is pronounced /mɪˈnɪŋ.ɡəʊˌsiːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /məˈnɪŋ.ɡoʊˌsiːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MENINGes go out through a gap, forming a CELE (like a cyst). 'Meninges' + 'Cele' (as in 'cyst').
Conceptual Metaphor
PATHOLOGY IS A PHYSICAL PROTRUSION / CONTAINMENT FAILURE. The spine is conceptualised as a protective container; the meningocele represents a failure of that container, allowing internal structures to bulge out.
Practice
Quiz
What is the key anatomical difference between a meningocele and a myelomeningocele?