Embryology Flashcards
Malformation
structure never formed properly and was abnormal to begin with due to underlying genetic, epigenetic, or environmental factor
Sequence
malformation triggers series of other defects; aka field defect
Potter Sequence
kidney agenesis -> absent urine production -> oligohydramnios -> constriction of fetal movement, clubfoot, pulmonary hypoplasia, Potter facies
Pierre-Robin Sequence
micrognathia (may be due to oligohydramnios) -> posteriorly displaced tongue -> u-shaped cleft palate and breathing obstruction
Deformation
genetic components and potential for normal development present but constrictions in space/external constraints lead to abnormalities
Disruption
potential for normalcy present but something interferes and destroys formation, usually abnormality in uterine environment
Dysplasia
intrinsic cellular architecture of tissue not normally maintained throughout growth and development
Syndrome
generally recognized and well-characterized constellation of major and minor anomalies that occur together in predictable fashion with known cause
Association
group of anomalies that occur more frequently together than would be predicted by chance alone but that lack a predictable pattern/unified underlying etiology
Major Anomalies
anomalies/malformations that create significant medical problems or require specific surgical/medical management
Minor Anomalies
features that vary from those most commonly seen in normal population that don’t cause increased morbidity
When do most internal organs form?
4-6w
When do digits and facial features form?
8-12w
When does neurological development occur?
throughout gestation
Gametogenesis
- process of forming haploid germ cells that will combine to make diploid zygotes
- oogenesis starts during embryonic development
- spermatogenesis starts during puberty
Fertilization
- 0w FA
- sperm drawn towards chemoattractant produced by ovum
- zona pellucidum becomes impermeable when a sperm penetrates
- sperm nucleus decondenses and forms pronucleus
- fertilization triggers ovum to complete meiosis II and form pronucleus
- pronuclei fuse
Cleavage
- 0.5w FA
- zygote rapidly divides and forms blastocyst with inner cell mass and trophoblast
Implantation
- 10d FA
- as soon as it occurs, trophoblast differentiates into cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast
Placenta and Amniotic Fluid
- 2w FA
- formal circulation system established and develops into placenta
- amnionic cavity forms in blastocyst and chorionic cavity encases developing cell mass
- as embryo grows, amnion rapidly expands and joins chorion (fully fused 14w) and contains amniotic fluid
Gastrulation
- 3w FA
- embryo transitions from bilaminar to trilaminar
- notochord forms and neural tube development starting
- somites develop
Folding
- 4w FA
- transverse: flat embryo rolls up and forms tubular structure
- longitudinal: head and tail curve inward
Heart Formation
- 3.5w - 9w FA
- first organ to fully develop
- critical period for major anomalies 3.5-6.5w
L-transposition of Great Arteries
- heart tube loops to left instead of right
- asymptomatic but may have conduction defects
Atrial Septal Defects
- LR shunt
- heart failure, FTT< pulmonary vasoconstriction, pulmonary vascular disease
Ventricular Septal Defects
- LR shunt
- pulmonary HTN, pulmonary vascular disease, CHF
Endocardial Cushion Defect/AV Canal
- LR shunt
- seen in DS
Double Outlet Right Ventricle
- right ventricle empties into pulmonary artery and aorta, LV empties into RV
- cyanotic
- increased pulmonary blood flow, PVD, CHF
Tetralogy of Fallot
- obstruction to pulmonary outflow, VSD, RVH, overriding aorta
- cyanotic
- seen in 22q11.2
Persistent Truncus Arteriosus Communus
- absence of truncal and part of conal septum leads to common trunk instead of aorta and VSD
- cyanotic
- CHF, PVD
Aorticopulmonary Septal Defect
- LR shunt
- defect in ascending aorta without VSD due to neural crest cell defect
- like PDA
Patent Ductus Arteriosus
- LR shunt
- cyanotic
- could lead to PVD
Pulmonary Stenosis/Atresia
- RL shunt across foramen ovale
- cyanotic
- pulmonary flow into pulmonary artery diminished, RVH
D-Transposition of Great Arteries
- cyanotic
- RV outputs into aorta and LV outputs into pulmonary arteries
- can be catastrophic at birth and requires surgical intervention
Tricuspid Atresia
- cyanotic
- no opening in tricuspid valve leads to blockage between RA and RV and no flow across pulmonary artery
- hypoplastic RV, atresia/stenosis of pulmonary valve
- surgery required
Total Anomalous Venous Connection
- cyanotic
- complete mixing of saturated and desaturated blood in left atrium due to anomalous attachment of pulmonary veins into something below diaphragm
Vascular Ring
- compression of esophagus and trachea leads to severe respiratory distress
Esophageal Constriction
- posterior identation of esophagus due to presence of artery
- difficulty swallowing food
Coarctation of Aorta
- narrowing of aorta near ductus that decreases flow in ascending aorta
- may be preductal, postductal, or juxtaductal
- high blood pressure in arms, low blood pressure in legs, rib notching
- seen in Turner syndrome
Hypoplastic Left Heart
- cyanotic
- no flow through left side of heart due to mitral atresia, no flow through ascending aorta
- baby goes into shock when ductus closes
- surgical repair or heart transplant needed
Respiratory System Formation
- development takes place between 4-28w FA and continues until 8y
- lungs derived from developing foregut and respiratory pathway separated from digestive pathway
Tracheoesophageal Fistula
- abnormal communication between respiratory and digestive pathways
- when infant eats, can aspirate food into lungs
- when regurgitate/reflux, stomach contents can go into lungs
- G-tube placement
- associated with chromosomal anomalies, CHD, imperforate anus (VACTERL)
Apnea of Prematurity
periodic breathing in premature infants that leads to pauses in oxygen flow
Meconium Aspiration
meconium excreted into amniotic fluid when fetus in distress and aspirated into lungs leading to irritation and pneumonia
Respiratory Distress Syndrome
- issue with prematurity
- surface of alveoli become proteinaceous, leading to difficulty breathing
- treatment with ECMO
- may be prevented by administering glucocorticoids to stimulate lung maturation
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
improper development of lungs leads to overexpansion and respiratory distress
Stuctural Lung Anomalies
- lung hypoplasia
- unilateral absence of lung
- bilateral absence of lungs (not viable)
- severe hypoplasia (not viable)
- sequestration of lung
Transient Tachypnea of Newborn
babies born via C-section have retained fluid in lungs and may breathe faster
Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of Newborn
- pulmonary HTN perpetuated in utero and after birth
- high pulmonary vascular pressure causes RL shunt
- ECMO needed
GI System Formation
- development takes place between 3-32w FA
- involves development of foregut, midgut, and hindgut
Foregut
- esophagus, stomach, first part of duodenum
- celiac artery and branch aorta
Midgut
- small intestine, cecum, part of ascending colon
- superior mesenteric artery