How Do You Spell BIFIDA?

Pronunciation: [ba͡ɪfˈɪdə] (IPA)

The word "bifida" is spelled with two distinct syllables. The first syllable, "bi", is pronounced as /baɪ/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and sounds similar to the word "buy". The second syllable, "fida", is pronounced as /fɪdə/ in IPA and sounds like "fih-duh". The combination of these two syllables results in the word "bifida" which is commonly used to describe the medical condition known as spina bifida, a type of birth defect that affects the spinal cord.

BIFIDA Meaning and Definition

1. Bifida, also known as spina bifida, is a congenital condition characterized by the incomplete development of the spinal cord, vertebrae, or spinal column during fetal development. The term "bifida" is derived from the Latin words "bis" and "fidus," meaning "split" and "faithful," respectively, which accurately describes the condition's essential feature of a split or open spine.

   The most common form of bifida is called myelomeningocele, which occurs when the spinal cord and its protective covering, the meninges, protrude through an opening in the spine, forming a sac filled with cerebrospinal fluid. This can lead to partial or complete paralysis of the lower limbs, loss of bladder and bowel control, muscle weakness, and other neurological and cognitive impairments.

   Other less severe forms of bifida include meningocele, where only the meninges protrude through the spinal opening, and spina bifida occulta, which refers to a mild, hidden form of the condition where the spinal cord remains undamaged and covered by skin. Spina bifida occulta often goes unnoticed as it may not cause symptoms or serious complications.

   Bifida is considered a neural tube defect, as it is caused by the incomplete closing of the neural tube during early embryonic development. The exact causes of bifida are unknown, but a combination of genetic and environmental factors is believed to play a role. Folic acid supplementation in pregnant women has been found to reduce the risk of neural tube defects, including spina bifida. Treatment of bifida typically involves surgical interventions to repair the spinal opening and manage associated complications, such as hydrocephalus (excessive fluid in the brain).

Common Misspellings for BIFIDA

• bufida
• bidida
• bifuda
• bif9da
• bifuida
• bifiuda
• bifioda
• bifieda
• bifidea
• bifdia
• bifiad
• bifidaa
• bi fida

Etymology of BIFIDA

The term "bifida" is derived from the Latin word "fida", which means "split" or "cleft", and the prefix "bi-", which means "two". Therefore, "bifida" can be translated as "split into two parts". This term is commonly used in medical contexts, particularly concerning a birth defect called spina bifida, which involves incomplete closing of the backbone and membranes around the spinal cord.

Similar spelling words for BIFIDA

• bifid,
• bird,
• buffed,
• biped,
• bind,
• bid.