embryology and congenital malformations Flashcards
what does the nervous system develop from?
embryonic ectoderm
when does the CNS appear?
beginning of the 3rd week of pregnancy
what is the neural plate?
thickening of the ectoderm anterior to the primitive node
how are the neural folds formed?
the edges of the neural plate thicken and move upwards
how is the neural tube formed?
neural folds migrate towards each other and fuse at the midline
when does the anterior (cranial/rostral neuropore) part of the neural tube close?
around 25 days
when does the posterior (caudal neuropore) close?`
day 27
what defects can present as a result of the neural tube failing to close properly?
anencephaly
encephalocoele
spina bifida
what is anencephaly?
failure of the anterior neuropore to close
what is the result of the anterior neuropore failing to close?
skull fails to form
brain tissue degenerates
what is craniorachischisis?
failure of anterior neuropore and rostral neural tube to close
what is encephalocoele?
herniation of cerebral tissue through a defect in the skull
what causes encephalocoele?
failure in closure of the rostral neural tube
what causes spina bifida?
defective closure of the caudal neural tube
what is spina bifida?
non fusion of the vertebral arches
what is spina bifida occulta?
failure of the embryonic halves of the vertebral arch to grow normally and fuse
what is spina bifida cystica?
embryonic halves of the vertebral arch fail to grow normally and fuse AND the spinal cord and/or meninges can protrude through the defect
what are the 3 types of spina bifida cystica?
with meningocele
with meningomyelocle
with myeloschisis
what is spina bifida with meningocele?
protrusion of the meninges and CSF
what is spina bifida with meningomyelocle?
when the nerve roots and/or spinal cord are included in the protruding sac
what symptoms can present with SB with meningomyelocele?
neurological deficits - loss of sensation and muscle paralysis
what is SB with meningomyelocele associated with often?
hydrocephalus
what is myeloschisis?
when the spinal cord in the affected area is open due to the failure of the neural folds to fuse
what measures are taken to try and prevent neural tube defects?
folic acid supplements
how can neural tube defects be diagnosed prenatally?
maternal blood screening
amniocentisis
ultrasounf