Meaning of bladder exstrophy

What is bladder exstrophy?The word Exstrophy is derived from the Greek word ekstriphein, which literally means to "turn inside out." Bladder exstrophy is a malformation of the bladder, in which the bladder and related structures are turned inside out. The skin of the lower abdominal wall that normally covers the bladder also does not form properly and is separated, thus exposing the inside of the bladder to the external world. If you imagine a balloon that has been split and opened up so that the inside of the balloon is visible, you will have a picture of what has happened.
What other abnormalities are associated with bladder exstrophy?A baby with this condition will usually also have all, or some, of these other associated abnormalities:
In girls, the urethral opening is located between a split clitoris and labia minora.
Absence of a bladder neck and sphincter: The bladder neck is the funnel shaped lower portion of the bladder which contains the ring of muscles that open and close the bladder outlet. It is this muscle ring (sphincter) which makes it possible to achieve bladder control or continence. When it is absent there is no ability for bladder control.
Small bladder capacity: This means that the bladder is unable to hold a normal quantity of urine.
Abnormally positioned ureters: Ureters (the tubes which channel urine from the kidneys to the bladder) enter the bladder abnormally resulting in urine backing up toward the kidneys (reflux).
Separation (diastasis) of the pubic bones: The large bones which make up the pelvic cavity normally develop as a ring. The pelvis supports the bladder, the reproductive and the lower intestinal organs. The pubic bones normally join to form the front portion of the pelvis and to protect the bladder, the urethra, and the muscles of the abdominal wall. In bladder exstrophy the pubic bones have failed to join, leaving a wide opening.