Disruption in development is exemplified by which condition?

• A. Club foot
• B. Hemangioma
• C. Amniotic band syndrome
• D. Neural tube defect

Answer: (C)

Disruption in development occurs when tissue that has already formed is interrupted or destroyed by an external factor during development. Amniotic band syndrome is a classic example: fibrous bands from the amnion constrict fetal parts, causing tissue injury, impaired growth, or even amputation of digits or limbs. This distinguishes it from malformations, which arise from intrinsic problems in tissue formation during early organogenesis (such as neural tube defects like spina bifida), and from deformities, which are due to abnormal mechanical forces acting on otherwise normal tissue later in development (such as club foot). Hemangioma isn’t a disruption of development in this sense, as it’s a vascular tumor rather than an extrinsic interruption of formed tissue.