A rare birth defect where the spinal cord is partially or completely split into two sections by a bony or fibrous tissue barrier.
From Greek 'diastema' (gap) + 'myelos' (spinal cord) + '-ia' (condition). The compound term literally means 'gap in the spinal cord,' coined in medical terminology to describe this congenital separation.
This condition can go undiagnosed for years because symptoms vary wildly—some people have no problems while others experience progressive neurological issues, making it a diagnostic puzzle for doctors.
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