What type of defect would a protrusion of the spinal cord and membranes indicate?

A protrusion of the spinal cord and its surrounding membranes indicates a condition known as myelomeningocele. This condition is a type of neural tube defect where both the spinal cord and the protective membranes (meninges) protrude through a defect in the vertebral column. In myelomeningocele, the defect often includes nerve tissue, which can lead to significant neurological impairment depending on the location and extent of the defect.

This condition is commonly associated with spina bifida, a serious birth defect that occurs when the spine doesn’t close completely. The severity of the outcomes can vary widely based on the size and location of the defect, as well as the extent of exposure of the spinal cord and nerves.

Other conditions mentioned do not specifically involve both the spinal cord and the membranes. For example, meningocele involves only the meninges without the spinal cord; hemangioma is a benign tumor of blood vessels, and phocomelia is a limb malformation unrelated to the spinal cord structure. Thus, myelomeningocele is the most accurate term to describe the protrusion of both the spinal cord and its membranes.