Which term is described as incomplete closure of one or more vertebra without protrusion of the spinal cord or meninges, usually requiring no treatment?

• A. Spinal cord defects
• B. Quadriplegia
• C. Spina bifida
• D. Parkinson's Disease

Answer: (C)

The trait being tested is the idea of a mild spinal defect where the arches of the vertebrae don’t fuse completely, but there is no herniation of the spinal cord or its coverings. This describes spina bifida occulta, the mild form of spina bifida, which is often asymptomatic and typically requires no treatment. Some people may have a subtle skin marker over the area, but many never know they have it.

Spina bifida in general can involve protrusion and sacs with meninges or even spinal nerves, which would usually need medical attention, so the description points to the nonprotruding, occulta variant. The other choices refer to conditions that aren’t about a closed vertebral arch defect: a broad term like spinal cord defects is not specific to the nonprotruding form, quadriplegia is a paralysis outcome, and Parkinson’s Disease is a brain disorder with different causes and presentation.