Final answer:
True, spina bifida occurs when the posterior vertebral arch fails to close, potentially resulting in protrusion of the meninges and neural tissue.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, spina bifida is due to the failure of the posterior vertebral arch to close. During development of the nervous system, the neural tube is meant to close, forming the spinal cord and surrounding structures. If the neural tube fails to close, particularly in the posterior region, it results in a developmental defect called spina bifida. This condition can result in the meninges and neural tissue emerging through an opening in the vertebral column. The vertebral arch, which forms the posterior part of the vertebra and plays a critical role in enclosing and protecting the spinal cord, comprises pedicles and laminae. In spina bifida, the vertebral foramen, which is surrounded by the vertebral arch, does not properly encase the spinal cord, causing various degrees of disability depending on the severity of the condition, categorized into spina bifida occulta, meningocele, and myelomeningocele.