1.2.3 Neural Crest Cells

Question 1

What are neural crest cells?

Answer 1

Highly specialised cells that contribute to lots of tissues, derived from the point at which the neural folds fuse when the surface ectoderm is reconstituted

Question 2

What cells are derived from neural crest cells?

Answer 2

Sensory neurones in the PNS
Postsynaptic autonomic neurons
Enteric neurones
Schwann cells
Adrenal medulla cells
Head mesenchyme
Melanocytes
Arachnoid and pia mater

Question 3

What tissues receieve a significant contribution from the neural crest?

Answer 3

Thymus
Thyroid
Parts of the heart e.g. spiral septum
Parts of the teeth

Question 4

What is Di George syndrome?

Answer 4

Rare
Deletion of part of chomosome 22

Immunodeficiency (due to involvement of thymus)
Facial anomalies (due to contribution of neural crest to facial development)
Heart anomalies
Hypocalcaemia (inolvement of parathyroids)

Question 5

What is Hirschprung’s disease?

Answer 5

More common than Di George syndrome

Neural crest forms the autonomic nervous system, especially the enteric

Neural crest cells can fail to migrate to bowel

Lack of enteric neurones in sections of the large intestine, leads to hypomobility and constipation as reduced peristalsis

May be rare cause of constipation