Development of the Nervous System Flashcards
What are the open ends of the neural tube known as?
Neuropores
Which neuropore closes first?
Anterior neuropore (day 25)
What syndrome occurs if the posterior neuropore fails to close?
Spina bifida
In spina bifida, where is a cyst most likely to occur?
Lumbosacral region
What occurs if the anterior neuropre fails to close?
Anencephaly (no brain)
How can neural tube defects be detected pre-term?
Ultrasound
Raised maternal serum a-fetoprotein
How can neural tube defects be reduced?
Take folic acid pre-conceptually and in the first trimester of pregnancy
What does the caudal neural tube become in an adult?
Spinal cord
What does the lumen of the neural tube become in an adult?
Ventricles
What does the cranial neural tube become in an adult?
3 dilations –> 5 dilations –> 5 brain divisions
What are the lower nerve roots of the spinal cord known as?
Cauda equina
Name the 3 primary brain regions
Forebrain (procephalon)
Midbrain (mesencephalon)
Hindbrain (rhombencephalon)
What are the 2 derivatives of the forebrain called?
Telencephalon
Diencephalon
What are the 2 derivatives of the hindbrain called?
Metencephalon
Myelencephalon
What does the telencephalon become in the adult?
Cerebral hemispheres
What does the diencephalon become in the adult?
Thalamus
What does the mesencephalon become in the adult?
Midbrain
What does the metencephalon become in the adult?
Pons, Cerebellum
What does the myelencephalon become in the adult?
Medulla oblongata
What forms as the neural tube grows greater than the space available?
Flexures
Name the flexures and give their location
Cervical flexure –> spinal cord- hindbrain junction
Cephalic flexure –> midbrain region
What is hydrocephalus?
Excess CSF in the brain and around the spinal cord
How will spina bifida occulta present?
Small openind in spinal cord covered in skin
How will a meningocele present?
The meninges will push out of the spine into a cyst but will be covered in skin
How will a myelomeningocele present?
Spinal cord and meninges push out into cyst
Give 3 symptoms of spina bifida
Hydrocephalus
Reduced mobility
Urinary and bowel incontinence
