A rare congenital condition involving incomplete development of the spinal cord at birth.
From Greek ateles (incomplete) and myelos (marrow, spinal cord). The prefix a- means without, telos means end or completion, making ateles literally 'without end or incomplete.'
Birth defects like atelomyelia show how much precision is needed when a spinal cord forms—even tiny disruptions during pregnancy can leave a lifetime of neurological effects, which is why we study these conditions to prevent them.
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