Embryology and Congenital Malformations Flashcards
Which nerve layer does the nervous system develop from?
The embryonic ectoderm
Also forms the epidermis
How is the neural plate formed?
Thickening of ectoderm anteroir to the primitive node
How are neural folds formed?
Edges thicken and move upwards to form neural folds
How is the neural tube formed?
Neural folds migrate towards each other and fuse at the midline
When do the anterior and posterior neural tube openings open/close?
- Anterior (cranial/rostral) neuropore closes 18 – 20 somite stage (~25 days)
- Posterior (caudal) neuropore closes ~ day 27.
At what point is the nervous system in open communication with the amniotic fluid?
When the neuropores are still open
What are the neural tube defects which happen as a result of failure of the neural tube to close properly?
Anencephaly
Encephalocoele
Spina Bifida
(Some of the most common congenital abnormalities of the CNS)
What causes anencephaly?
Failure of the anterior neuropore to close
Skull fails to form
Brain tissue degenerates
What is craciorachischisis?
failure of neural tube closure along entire neuroaxis
What is the cause of encephalocele?
Failure in closure rostral neural
Results in herniation of cerebral tissue through a defect in the skull (most likely to be in the occipital region)
Variable degree of neurological defecits
What cause spina bifida?
- Defective closure of the caudal neural tube
- Affects tissues overlying the spinal cord
- Spina bifida = non-fusion of vertebral arches.
- Neural tissue may or may not be affected
- Severity ranges from minor abnormalities to major clinical symptoms.
What is the most minor form of spina bifida?
Spina bifida occulta
What causes spina bifida occulta?
- Failure of embryonic halves of vertebral arch to grow normally and fuse.
- Occurs in L5 and L6 vertebrae of 10% of otherwise healthy people.
What are the clinical features of spina bifida?
Asymptomatic
May result in a dimple with a small patch of hair
What causes spina bifida cystica?
Protrusion of spinal cord and or meninges through defect in vertebral arches
What causes spina bifida with meningocele (form of spina bifida cystica)
Protrusion of meninges and cerebrospial fluid
What causes Spina bifida with meningomyelocle (form of spina bifida cystica)
•Nerve roots and/or spinal cord included in the sac (that protrudes through the defect in the vertebral arches)
What are teh features of spina bifida with meningomyelocle?
- Neurological deficits – loss of sensation and muscle paralysis
- Area affected determined by level of lesion
- Often associated with hydrocephalus
What is the most severe form of spina bifida?
Myeloschisis
•Spinal cord in affected area open due to failure of neural folds to fuse.
How do we help to prevent spina bifida?
Folic acid supplements for pregnant women
How is prenatal diagnosis of spina bifida achieved?
Maternal blood screening for AFP (alpha fetoprotein) in serum
Best detected 16 - 20 weeks
Amniocentesis (high levels of AFP in amniotic fluid)
Ultrasound - anencephaly from 12 weeks and spina bifida from 16 - 20
What are the risk factors for spina bifida?
- Genetic predisposition
- Nutritional (e.g. too little folate, too much vitamin A)
Vitamin A is avoided by women – found in the liver. Vitamin A is converted into another compound in the body which is a teratogen
•Environmental (e.g. hyperthermia; taking certain drugs – e.g. sodium valproate)
When does development of brain vesicles begin?
With closure of anterior neuropore (around day 25)
What are the 3 primary brain vesicles and what are the 5 seconday brain vesicles that form from these?
Where do you find the cephalic flexure, the cervical flexure and the pontine flexure?
Cephalic flexure - Between midbrain (mesencephalon) and hindbrain (rhombencephalon)
Cervical flexure - between hindbrain and spinal cord
Pontine flexure - between metencephalon and myeloencephalon
When do the different flexures form?
Cephalic flexure - end of 3rd week
Cervical flexure - end of 4th week
Pontine flexure - 5th week