Encephalocele vs. Anencephaly — What's the Difference?

Encephalocele is a neural tube defect characterized by sac-like protrusions of the brain and the membranes that cover it through openings in the skull. These defects are caused by failure of the neural tube to close completely during fetal development.

Anencephaly is the absence of a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp that occurs during embryonic development. It is a cephalic disorder that results from a neural tube defect that occurs when the rostral (head) end of the neural tube fails to close, usually between the 23rd and 26th day following conception.

(medicine) A form of hernia of the brain and its membranes through an opening in the skull.

Congenital absence of most of the brain and spinal cord.

Hernia of the brain.

A lethal birth defect in which most of the brain and parts of the skull are missing; absence of the encephalon.

Protrusion of brain tissue through a congenital fissure in the skull

A defect in brain development resulting in small or missing brain hemispheres