Development of the Midgut and Hindgut Flashcards
Where does the midgut run to and from?
It runs from the 2nd part of the duodenum to 2/3 along the transverse colon
What is the midgut continuous with?
The yolk sac at the vitelline duct
this is around the level of the umbilicus
Where does the hindgut run to and from?
It runs from the final 1/3 of the transverse colon to the superior 2/3 of the rectum
What happens to the midgut during week 5 of development?
The midgut and associated dorsal mesentery undergo rapid elongation
This forms the primary intestinal loop
How does the primary intestinal loop communicate with the yolk sac?
Through the vitelline duct
Both the yolk sac and the vitelline duct are encompassed in the umbilical cord
What will the primary intestinal loop go on to form?
It grows very quickly to form cranial and caudal limbs
What will the cranial limb of the primary intestinal loop go on to form?
- distal part of duodenum
- jejunum
- proximal ileum
What will the caudal limb of the primary intestinal loop go on to form?
- distal ileum
- caecum
- appendix
- ascending colon
- proximal 2/3 of transverse colon
What happens to the midgut during week 6 of development?
What is the consequence of this?
There is rapid elongation of the midgut and growth of the liver
There is not enough room in the abdomen for the rapidly extending intestinal loop
What happens due to there not being enough space in the abdomen for the primary intestinal loop?
The primary intestinal loop herniates into the umbilical cord
What happens as the primary intestinal loop herniates into the umbilical cord?
The midgut rotates around its axis and rotates 90o anti-clockwise
Jejunoileal loops form
What is the result of the midgut rotating 90o anti-clockwise?
the cranial limb is brought to the right and the caudal limb is brought to the left
During which week does the midgut return to the abdominal cavity?
For 4 weeks it develops outside the abdominal cavity
It returns to the abdominal cavity in week 10, when there is enough space for it
What happens in week 10 when the midgut returns to the abdomen?
It rotates a further 180o anti-clockwise
In total, the midgut has rotated 270o anti-clockwise
What is the result of the midgut rotating 180o anti-clockwise in week 10?
The proximal jejunal loops are brought to the left side
The caecum ends up sitting just inferior to the liver
What wormlike diverticulum develops from the caecum?
the vermiform appendix
What happens to the vitelline duct as the midgut returns to the abdomen in week 10?
Why does this happen?
The vitelline duct is closed off and obliterated
The primary function of the yolk sac was to get nutrients, but once the gut tube has developed this is no longer needed
What is the position of the midgut by week 11 of development?
The midgut has completely returned to the abdomen and has undergone 270o anti-clockwise rotation in total
What happens to the caecum once the midgut has returned to the abdomen?
It descends from below the liver to the right iliac fossa
As the caecum descends, which structures does it bring with it?
It pulls the rest of the gut tube with it
It will pull the ascending and transverse colon into their adult anatomical positions
What happens to the ascending and descending colons as the caecum pulls them into position?
the dorsal mesentery of the ascending and descending colons shortens and degenerates
This pulls them against the posterior abdominal wall
Are the ascending and descending colons intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal?
Secondarily retroperitoneal
Why does the dorsal mesentery shorten as it moves?
What happens to the gut tube during this process?
This is due to elongation of the lumbar region
As it grows longer, it pulls the gut tube closer to the posterior wall
The dorsal mesentery decreases in length until it is lost
Why is the position of the appendix variable?
The position of the appendix is dictated by movement of caecum
What is the position of the appendix in the majority (64%) of individuals?
The appendix is in the retrocaecal position
This is where the appendix is located just behind the caecum
Why is the appendix relatively mobile?
It is suspended by a mesentery
Mesenteries dictate how mobile an organ is, and organs with longer mesenteries tend to be more mobile
Why are the symptoms and site of pain in appendicitis different in different people?
It is due to the position of the appendix being variable
What Meckel’s/Ileal diverticulum?
This is where a remnant of the vitelline duct creates an outpocketing of the ileal wall
This is due to the vitelline duct not being obliterated entirely
What are the usual symptoms of Meckel’s diverticulum?
It is usually asymptomatic unless there is heterotopic tissue present
(usually ectopic pancreatic or gastric tissue)
What is ectopic tissue refer to?
Certain types of tissue being located in areas where they are not usually found
What does ectopic tissue usually cause?
Inflammation, ulceration and bleeding
What are the ‘rule of 2s’ that characterise Meckel’s diverticulum?
- affects 2% of the population
- 2 times more common in males
- it is located 2 feet (50 cm) from the ileocaecal junction
- it is 2 inches (3-6 cm) long
- it is symptomatic in 2% of cases