Neuroanatomy Flashcards
Why is the nervous system most susceptible to insult during pre-natal development?
It takes a long time to develop
What are the 6 stages of formation of the neural tube?
1- Gastrulation produces the notochord
2- Notochord induces neurulation
3- Induction of neural plate
4- Elevation of lateral edges of neural plate
5- The depressed mid-region is the neural groove
6- Neural folds gradually approach each other in the midline and fuse, producing the neural tube
What is the Notochords responsibility in neurulation?
It is a solid rod of cells running in the midline with important signalling role
Notochord directs conversion of overlying ectoderm to neuroectoderm - the signalling is via diffusion and so only reaches a small area of space and also the responding tissues need to have the receptors fo these signals
How long does it take for the neural tube to form and during which days?
10 days to form
Starting day 18 and completing approximately day 28-32
How are neuropores related to the neural tube closure?
Have an anterior and posterior neuropore
The closing starts in the middle and then runs cranially and caudally leaving 2 areas that are not fused.
What does anencephaly mean?
Absence of brain and head structures due to the failure of the neural tube to close cranially
What is spina bifida in neurolodevelopmental terms?
Posterior closure defect
Can occur anywhere along the length but most commonly lumbosacral region
Not associated with cognitive delay
Hydrocephalus nearly always occurs
What is the difference between a meningocoele and mylomeningocoele?
Meningocoele = the nervous tissue doesn’t sit inside the cyst and remains within the space in the spinal column - the only thing affected is the vertebral arch
Mylomeningocoele = the spinal cord sits inside the cyst which is outside of the spinal column
What does rachischisis mean?
Failure of neural fold elevation
How do we screen for neural tube defects before the foetus is born?
Alpha-foetoprotein will be raised in the maternal serum = increased foetal proteins.
It is not diagnostic but indicates there is a problem
Up to which month is the spinal cord and the vertebral column the same length?
3rd month after which the vertebral column grows faster leading to the cauda equina
During neural fold formation 3 primary brain regions can be distinguished which are?
Forebrain - prosencephalon
Midbrain- Mesencephalon
Hindbrain- Rhombencephalon
During brain folding there are 5 secondary brain vesicles which lead to which 5 mature derivative structures?
Cerebral hemispheres, thalamus, midbrain, pons/ cerebellum, medulla oblongata
What is the difference between the alar plate and the basal plate in the early organisation of the neural tube?
Alar plate = sensory
Basal plate = motor
What are neural crest cells and what is their role?
Cells of the lateral border of the neuroectoderm tube
Become displaced and enter the mesoderm and undergo epithelial to mesenchymal transition
They will migrate from the dorsum to the ventral direction leaving behind cells that make the sympathetic ganglion, preaortic ganglia, enteric ganglia etc
Why can defects occur of the neural crest cells and their migration?
They migrate extensively and contribute to a wide range of structures
Because of the complex migratory pattern they are extremely vulnerable to environmental insult esp alcohol but can also be genetic
Defects can affect single components but also multiple components resulting in recognisable syndromes
Name 2 conditions that are caused by defects in the migration or morphogenesis of structure(s)
One structure affected= Hirschsprung’s disease (aganglionic megacolon)
Multiple structures= DiGeorge syndrome (thyroid deficiency, immunodeficiency secondary to thymus defect, cardiac defects, abnormal faces.
What are the basic components of the CNS?
Cerebral hemispheres
Brainstem and cerebellum
Spinal cord
What are the basic components of the Parasympathetic NS?
Dorsal and ventral roots
Spinal nerves
Peripheral nerves
In a very basic sense which one of the following can regenerate: CNS or PNS?
PNS
What covers neurones in the CNS?
Oligodendrocytes
What covers neurones in the PNS?
Schwann cells
Describe 3 features of the grey matter
Comprised of cell bodies and dendrites
Highly vascular
Contains axons that communicate with the white matter
Describe 3 features of white matter
Composed of axons (with their supporting cells)
White due to the presence of fatty myelin compared to grey matter
Supported by oligodendrocytes