Which statement correctly summarizes the three common etiologies of cervical spondylolisthesis?

• A. Congenital
• B. Traumatic
• C. Degenerative
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Three pathways explain most cases of cervical spondylolisthesis: congenital abnormalities present at birth that predispose to slippage, traumatic injuries that disrupt the stabilizing structures of the cervical spine, and degenerative changes from aging that lead to instability through disc and facet joint degeneration. Each pathway can cause a vertebra to slip anteriorly, so recognizing all three as common etiologies makes sense. That’s why the option encompassing congenital, traumatic, and degenerative etiologies together is the best choice.