Anencephaly vs. Encephalopathy — What's the Difference?

Anencephaly is the absence of a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp that occurs during embryonic development. It is a cephalic disorder that results from a neural tube defect that occurs when the rostral (head) end of the neural tube fails to close, usually between the 23rd and 26th day following conception.

Encephalopathy (; from Ancient Greek: ἐνκέφαλος "brain" + πάθος "suffering") means any disorder or disease of the brain, especially chronic degenerative conditions. In modern usage, encephalopathy does not refer to a single disease, but rather to a syndrome of overall brain dysfunction; this syndrome has many possible organic and inorganic causes.

Congenital absence of most of the brain and spinal cord.

Any of various diseases of the brain.

A lethal birth defect in which most of the brain and parts of the skull are missing; absence of the encephalon.

Any of various conditions affecting the brain.

A defect in brain development resulting in small or missing brain hemispheres

Any disease or symptoms of disease referable to disorders of the brain; as, lead encephalopathy, the cerebral symptoms attending chronic lead poisoning.

Any disorder or disease of the brain