What term means the congenital herniation of the meninges through a defect in the skull or spinal column?

• A. Meningocele
• B. Meningitis
• C. Encephalitis
• D. Hypochondriasis

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is recognizing a term that describes a congenital protrusion of the meninges through a skull or spinal defect. Meningocele is formed when the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (the meninges) herniate through a bony gap at birth. The sac may contain meninges and cerebrospinal fluid, but the spinal cord itself is typically not in the sac. If the spinal cord also protrudes, the condition is called meningomyelocele, which differentiates it from a meningocele.

In contrast, meningitis refers to inflammation of the meninges usually due to infection, not a structural herniation. Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain tissue itself, not just the coverings. Hypochondriasis is a psychological condition involving excessive worry about illness, not a physical herniation of tissue.