One of the conditions that you need to know for your career and the NBE is Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida is a condition that affects the spine, it’s typically observed in newborns.  Spina bifida is an umbrella term that covers several different variations. You will need to memorize three of these and know how to treat them in the embalming room.  The three conditions are Occulta, Meningocele, and Myelomeningocele.

Briefly, occulta is the least severe. 

Meningocele is denoted by moderate severity Myelomeningocele is the most severe.

I know all of these names are a mouthful and you do need to know the condition associated with each but here a mnemonic to start you off.  It’s a simple one, and hopefully that helps you along your path.

Occulta is the least severe and the shortest name

Meningocele is “middle severity” and the “middle length name

Myelomeningocele is the most severe and the longest name.

Additionally, the conditions names become more complex to pronounce, this also helps remember the complexity of the condition.