What term describes a defect in an unborn baby's diaphragm, dividing the chest and abdominal cavities?

The term that describes a defect in an unborn baby's diaphragm, which leads to an abnormal opening that allows abdominal organs to move into the chest cavity, is called congenital diaphragmatic hernia. This condition can result in serious complications as the presence of abdominal organs in the chest can interfere with lung development, leading to respiratory distress after birth.

In congenital diaphragmatic hernia, the diaphragm does not form properly, which can be either on the left or right side, with the left-sided hernia being more common. This defect allows organs such as the stomach and intestines to herniate into the thoracic cavity, resulting in various developmental and physiological challenges for the newborn.

Other conditions such as omphalocele and gastroschisis involve defects in abdominal wall closure, where internal organs protrude outside the body but do not specifically affect the diaphragm. Esophageal atresia, while also a congenital defect, specifically refers to an abnormality of the esophagus and does not involve the diaphragm. Therefore, the best choice describing a diaphragmatic defect in an unborn baby is indeed congenital diaphragmatic hernia.