Embryology Congenital malformations Flashcards
what does the nervous system develop from?
embryonic ectoderm
when does the CNS first appear?
beginning of week 3
label the stages of gastrulation?
label the different germ layers?
what is contained within the ectoderm?
epidermis and nervous system
what is contained within the mesdoderm?
bone, muscle, blood cells etc
what is contained within the endoderm?
gut, pharynx, lungs
label the CNS at 18 and 20 days?
what forms the neural plate?
Thickening of ectoderm anterior to the primitive node
what forms the neural folds?
Edges thicken and move upwards
What are the steps of neuralisation?
Neural plate forms from thickening of the ectoderm anterior to the primitive node
Neural folds form from the edges thickening and moving upwards
Neural folds migrate towards each other and fuse at midline forming neural tube, which remains open at anterior and posterior ends
Neural tube closure
what forms the neural tube?
Neural folds migrate towards each other and fuse at midline
where does the neural tube initially remain open?
anterior and posterior ends
when does Anterior (cranial/rostral) neuropore close?
closes 18 – 20 somite stage (~25 days)
when does posterior (caudal) neuropore close?
day 27
label the neural tube at day 22/23?
what does this image show? 1
neural plate
second arrow - ectoderm
what does this image show? 2
neural folds
neural groove
ectoderm
what does this image show? 3
further folding of neural folds
ectoderm
what does this image show?
neural tube
ectoderm
Describe the process of neural tube closure?
Initiated at several points along A-P axis
Proceeds in cranial and caudal directions
Begins on day 18 and is completed by end of 4th week (about day 27)
What does failure of the neural tube to close correctly lead to?
Failure to close properly leads to neural tube defects (NTDs):
Anencephaly
Encephalocoele
Spina bifida
The are some of the most common congenital abnormalities of the CNS
How many closure sites of the neural tube are there in humans?
Up to 5
Describe the epidemiology of exencephaly/ancenephaly?
(incidence, sex)
1:1500 births (4x more common in females)
Describe the pathology of exencephaly/anencephaly?
Failure of anterior neuropore to close
Skull fails to form
Describe the prognosis of exencephaly/anencephaly?
Brain tissue degenerates, is incompatible with life
What is craniorachischisis?
Craniorachischisis = failure of neural tube closure along entire neuroaxis
Describe the epidemiology of encephalocoele?
(incidence)
1:4000 births
Describe the pathology of encephalocoele?
Herniation of cerebral tissue through a defect in the skull
Failure in closure of rostral neural tube
Most frequently in occipital region
Describe the prognosis of encephalocoele?
Variable degree of neurological deficits
Describe the pathology of spina bifida?
Defective closure of the caudal neural tube
Affects tissues overlying the spinal cord
Neural tissue may or may not be affected
What is spinda bifida?
Spina bifida = non-fusion of vertebral arches
Describe the prognosis of spina bifida?
Severity ranges from minor abnormalities to major clinical symptoms
What are the different kinds of spina bifida?
Spina bifida occulta
Most minor form
Failure of embryonic halves of vertebral arch to grow normally and fuse
Occurs in L5 and L6 vertebrae
Usually no clinical symptom
May result in dimple with small tuft of hair
Spina bifida cystica
Protrusion of spinal cord and/or meninges through the defects in vertebral arches
1:1000 births
Different kinds
Spina bifida with meningocele
Rarest form
Protrusion of meninges and CSF
Spina bifida with meningomyelocle
Nerve roots and/or spinal cord included in the sac
Neurological deficits such as loss of sensation and muscle paralysis
Area affected determined by level of lesion
Often associated with hydrocephalus
Myeloschisis
Most severe form
Spinal cord in affected area open due to failure of neural folds to fuse
Spina bififa occulta - pathology
Most minor form
Failure of embryonic halves of vertebral arch to grow normally and fuse
Occurs in L5 and L6 vertebrae
Spina bifida occulta - presentation
Usually no clinical symptom
May result in dimple with small tuft of hair
Spina bifida cystica - pathology
Protrusion of spinal cord and/or meninges through the defects in vertebral arches
Spina bifida cystica - epidemiology (incidence)
1:1000 births
Spina bifida cystica - different kinds
Spina bifida with meningocele
Rarest form
Protrusion of meninges and CSF#
Spina bifida with meningomyelocle
Nerve roots and/or spinal cord included in the sac
Neurological deficits such as loss of sensation and muscle paralysis
Area affected determined by level of lesion
Often associated with hydrocephalus
Myeloschisis
Most severe form
Spinal cord in affected area open due to failure of neural folds to fuse
what is spina bifida with meningocele?
Rarest form
Protrusion of meninges and cerebrospinal fluid
what is spina bifida with meningomyelocle?
Nerve roots and/or spinal cord included in the sac
Neurological deficits – loss of sensation and muscle paralysis
Area affected determined by level of lesion
Often associated with hydrocephalus
what is myeloschisis?
Most severe form myeloschisis
Spinal cord in affected area open due to failure of neural folds to fuse.
Is incidence of neurological congenital malformations increasing or decreasing? Why?
Incidence is decreasing in the UK due to:
Folic acid supplements (400ug/day)
Prenatal diagnosis
Maternal blood screening
Indicated by high levels of α-fetoprotein (AFP) in serum – AFP from foetal liver leaks into amniotic fluid then into maternal blood.
Best detected 16-20 weeks
Amniocentesis
High levels of AFP in amniotic fluid
Ultrasound
Anencephaly from 12 weeks, spina bifida from 16-20 weeks
what are different types of prenatal diagnosis?
Maternal blood screening
Indicated by high levels α-fetoprotein (AFP) in serum – AFP from foetal liver leaks into amniotic fluid then into maternal blood.
Best detected 16 - 20 weeks.
- Amniocentesis (high levels AFP in amniotic fluid) - Ultrasound (Anencephaly from 12 weeks, spina bifida from 16-20 weeks)
what does maternal blood screening test for?
Indicated by high levels α-fetoprotein (AFP) in serum – AFP from foetal liver leaks into amniotic fluid then into maternal blood.
Best detected 16 - 20 weeks.