Which condition is described as a developmental anomaly characterized by defective closure of the bony encasement of the spinal cord?

Spina bifida is indeed characterized by a developmental anomaly resulting from the defective closure of the bony encasement of the spinal cord. This condition arises during embryonic development when the neural tube, which eventually forms the spinal cord and surrounding structures, fails to close completely. As a result, segments of the spinal cord and nerves may protrude through the opening, leading to various degrees of impairment depending on the severity and location of the defect.

In spina bifida, the exposed area can range from being a mild protrusion without significant symptoms (spina bifida occulta) to a more severe form, where the spinal nerves are exposed, resulting in significant physical and neurological deficits (spina bifida cystica). The clinical implications of spina bifida can include challenges such as mobility issues, bowel and bladder dysfunction, and risk of infection, emphasizing the importance of the bony enclosure for the protection and development of spinal structures.

Other conditions listed, such as hydrocephalus, arise from an imbalance in the production and absorption of cerebrospinal fluid and involve the brain's ventricles, rather than the closure of the spinal column. Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders affecting movement and muscle tone, often linked to