Defective development within any part of the spinal cord refers to which condition?

Defective development within any part of the spinal cord refers to which condition?

• A. Spina bifida
• B. Anencephaly
• C. Cerebral palsy
• D. Poliomyelitis

Answer: (A)

Spina bifida is a spinal neural tube defect in which the spine and spinal cord form abnormally during early development. The phrase “defective development within any part of the spinal cord” fits this broad defect because it encompasses abnormal formation along the spinal column, from minor openings to more severe forms where the spinal cord and meninges protrude (myelomeningocele) or are exposed. This reflects a failure of the neural tube to close properly in the spinal region, leading to defective formation of the vertebrae and spinal contents.

Anencephaly is a brain problem from the cranial end of neural tube closure, not the spinal cord. Cerebral palsy is a brain-based motor disorder not caused by a spinal cord developmental defect. Poliomyelitis is an infection that damages motor neurons in the spinal cord, not a congenital defect of spinal development.