GI Embryology - development of the midgut and hindgut Flashcards
Name the blind diverticula of the caudal primitive gut tube.
Cloacal membrane.
List the midgut structures.
Duodenum (distal to the bile duct), small intestines, caecum, appendix, ascending colon and proximal 2/3 of the transverse colon.
What is the vitelline duct?
The tube that connects the midgut to the yolk sac
What is the primary intestinal loop?
When the midgut elongates massively, it forms a loop which has the SMA as its axis and is connected to the yolk sac by the vitelline duct.
It has cranial and caudal limbs (in relation to the SMA)
Describe the physiological herniation that happens in the 6th week of development.
The intestines herniate into the proximal part of the umbilical chord because the primary intestinal loop is elongating rapidly and the liver is taking up so much of the abdominal space.
If you took a section through the proximal umbilicus during the 6th week of development what structures would you see?
Covered by the amnion. Umbilical arteries Umbilical vein Loop of intestines Allantois (sac-like structure that helps the embryo exchange gases and handle liquid waste)
How many 90 degrees midgut rotations occur?
3
When does the first 90 degrees of the midgut occur?
During herniation of the primary intestinal loop into the proximal umbilicus.
What happens to the cranial limb of the proximal intestinal loop after the first 90 degrees rotation?
It becomes very convoluted.
What happens during the second 90 degrees rotation of the primary intestinal loop?
The cranial and caudal limbs cross. Loops of jejunum and ileum are pushed to the left hand side. The cecal swelling appears.
What are the position of the cranial limb and distal limb of the primary intestinal loop to each other before any rotations occur?
Cranial limb is directly cranial to the caudal limb
What are the position of the cranial and caudal limb of the primary intestinal loop to each other after the first rotation?
The cranial limb is directly to the right of the caudal limb.
After the second rotation of the primary intestinal loop what is the relation of the cranial and caudal limb to each other?
The cranial limb is caudal to the caudal limb! An exact reverse has occurred due to the 180 degrees rotation
What is the effect of the third rotation?
The small and large intestines are now in their correct anatomical positions and back inside the abdomen.
What happens to the cecal bud/ caecum after the third rotation?
It descends
What are the derivatives of the cranial limb of the primary intestinal loop?
Distal duodenum, jejunum and proximal ileum
What are the derivatives of the caudal limb of the primary intestinal loop?
The distal ileum, cecum, appendix, ascending colon and proximal 2/3 of transverse colon.
What is the correct direction of rotation for the midgut?
Anti-clockwise
What are the two types of malrotation of the midgut that can occur?
- Incomplete rotation
2. Reversed rotation
What occurs and what are the consequences of incomplete rotation of the midgut?
The midgut rotates only 90 degrees anti-clockwise.
Crossing of the limbs of the loop doesn’t occur (second rotation), therefore the caudal limb remains at the left hands side and you get a colon that is fully on the left (ascending, transverse and descending colon).
What happens during reverse rotation and what are the consequences?
The midgut makes one 90 degrees rotation clockwise (instead of anti-clockwise).
The transverse colon passes posterior to the duodenum, instead of anterior.
What is the major complication of midgut defects?
Volvulus - when a loop of bowel is twisted around a focal point (where the mesentery attaches to the intestinal tract)
What are the major complications of a volvulus?
Strangulation and therefore ischaemia (if blood supply to that bowel section compromised).
GI tract obstruction - constriction of lumen
Name three abnormalities that can occur if the vitelline duct persists after development
- Vitelline cyst
- Vitelline fistula
- Meckel’s diverticulum
What is a vitelline cyst?
When the midsection of the vitelline duct remains patent, with fibrous sections connecting it to the abdominal wall and bowel loops. This is at risk of volvulus.
What is a Vitelline fistula?
When the vitelline duct remains patent. This means direct communication between the intestines and umbilicus remains and intestinal contents can leak out of the umbilicus.
What is Meckel’s diverticulum?
It is the most common GI abnormality. A blind ended tube remains projecting out from the intestines, due to incomplete closure of the vitelline duct. The diverticulum can/ cannot have fibrous strands that connect it to the anterior abdominal wall
State the rule of 2s for Meckel’s diverticulum
2: % of the population
2: feet from the ileocecal valve
2: inches long
2: usually detected (sometimes asymtomatic) in under 2’s (as in all congenital abnormalities)
2: 1 male:female ratio
What can be the clinical consequence of Meckel’s diverticulum?
Can be asymptomatic or can cause inflammation and infection.
What atypical tissue can be found in Meckel’s diverticulum?
Ectopic pancreatic or gastric tissue
In which gut structures can growth of tissue be so rapid that the lumen is obliterated?
Oesophagus, bile duct and small intestine
What occurs to restore obliterated GI lumens later in development?
Recanalisation
What can be the consequences if recanalisation is partially or wholly unsuccessful?
Atresia - lumen obliterated
Stenosis - narrowing of lumen
Of the structure
Where is the most common location for stenosis and atresia?
The duodenum
What are the reason for stenosis and atresia in the duodenum?
Most likely cause is incomplete canalisation, but “vascular accidents” can also happen - impairing the blood supply so recanalisation doesn’t occur?
Pyloric stenosis is a common abnormality of the stomach in infants. What is a sign of PS?
Projectile vomiting
Why is projectile vomiting characteristic of pylorus stenosis?
Movement of stomach contents into the duodenum is slowed -> stomach dis tends -> projectile vomiting.
What is the cause of pylorus stenosis?
Hypertrophy of the circular muscle in the pyloric sphincter. NOT a recanalisation failure.
Put the following structure of the GI tract in order of which has the highest -> lowest incidence of atresia and stenoses:
Ileum/jejunum
Colon
Duodenum
Duodenum > ileum/ jejunum > colon