Spina bifida occulta

[superoxide]

Why do you have a "tuft of hair" with Spina bifida occulta?

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[soonereng]

Why do you have a "tuft of hair" with Spina bifida occulta?

This specific question was asked during a clinical correlation about neural tube defects at my school. The answer that was given (which I wasn't necessarily pacified by, but that's ok) was that since there is a problem with cell differentiation/migration that the skin over the area with the incomplete vertebra develops hair like that on the scalp since the appropriate hair growth inhibitory factors aren't present.

I never took the time to research it anymore as I had other more pressing things to learn that might actually be on a test. I just filed away in the recesses of my brain that if I see a tuft of hair on the lower back, think sbo.

 

[Scaredshizzles]

I would say a dimple is more what you're looking for than a tuft of hair...the tuft of hair I think is one of those things that may or may not be present...as for why? I couldn't tell you....neural tissue and skin tissue are both ectoderm and they probably to some extent cross regulate each other's development. Asy ou see in disorders like neurofibromatosis and tuberous sclerosis, both skin and central nervous tissue are effected.