Final answer:
Yes, the dura is intact in spina bifida occulta, as it is the mildest form where the spinal cord remains unaffected by the vertebral defects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Is the dura intact in spina bifida occulta? The answer is yes. In spina bifida occulta, the mildest form of this disorder, there is an incomplete closure of the vertebral bones surrounding the spinal cord, but the spinal cord and its coverings remain intact. The condition is often asymptomatic and may not result in functional differences. This occurs because the condition is characterized by a defect in the spine without an actual protrusion of the meninges or spinal nerves. On the contrary, in meningocele and myelomeningocele forms of spina bifida, there is a formation of a cyst and protrusion of meninges and/or spinal nerves, often requiring surgical intervention.