I just saw the movie "the devil's backbone" and in it there is a preserved fetus with its spinal column exposed and a character says it is called "the devil's backbone" Is there a real condition called "The Devil's Backbone" and if so, what is the medical term for it?
2007-08-22 14:55:42 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Actually i should have said the vertebral column was exposed. There was no skin covering the entire length of the backbone.
2007-08-23 04:41:09 · update #1
Spina bifida is a condition where there is a neural tube defect that can result in a gap that leaves an area of the spinal cord exposed. A severe defect of spina bifida is called myeloschisis where there is no covering so the spinal cord is open and exposed.
I have never once heard this referred to as the "devil's backbone" so it might just be some cinematic license to make the fetus' condition fit the movie title.
2007-08-22 19:42:37 · answer #1 · answered by ilse72 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The movie refers to spina bifida.
The "devi's backbone" term is one the scriptwriters can up with for the movie.
It's not used in health care.
2007-08-25 09:15:49 · answer #2 · answered by transplant mom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋