Which condition is characterized by the growth of benign tumors along nerves?

Neurofibromatosis is the condition that is characterized by the growth of benign tumors, known as neurofibromas, along nerves. This genetic disorder affects the growth of nerve tissues, leading to the formation of these tumors, which can occur anywhere in the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Individuals with neurofibromatosis may experience symptoms ranging from mild to severe depending on the location and number of tumors.

In contrast, Marfan syndrome is a connective tissue disorder that affects the body's skeletal system, heart, and blood vessels, leading to features such as long limbs and cardiovascular complications, but it does not involve nerve tumors. Muscular dystrophy encompasses a group of disorders that lead to muscle weakness and degeneration, with no relation to nerve tumors. Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a metabolic disorder caused by a deficiency in the enzyme needed to process the amino acid phenylalanine, leading to intellectual disability and other health issues, but again, it does not involve tumor growth along nerves. Each of these conditions has distinct characteristics and affects different systems within the body.