Session 4 - GI development 2

Question 1

During which week does a physiological herniation into the umbilical cord occur?

Answer 1

6th

Question 2

Describe the process of midgut rotation. What is the end result? What would occur in malrotations of the intestine?

Answer 2

Midgut herniates into umbilicus. Does three 90 degree counter clockwise turns, and returns into the abdomen.

End result is the transverse colon is used to hold the small intestines down.

Malrotations make it more likely to unravel the small intestine and for it to strangulate itself.

Question 3

What is the vitelline duct?

Answer 3

Connects the primitive gut to the umbilical cord

Question 4

What is a vitelline fistula?

Answer 4

Direct communication between umbilicus and and intestinal tract

Question 5

What is a vitelline cyst?

Answer 5

Viteline duct forms fibrous strands

Question 6

What is a Meckel’s diverticulum? What proportion of the population have one? Where is it located and how long is it? Why is it clinically significant?

Answer 6

Remnant of vitelline duct forms a small outpuch of intestine.

2% of population

Located 2 feet away from ileocecal valve

2 inches long

Can contain ectopic gastric or pancreatic tissue - cancer

Question 7

What is gastroschisis? Why is it different to omphalocoele?

Answer 7

Failure of closure of the abdominal wall during folding of the embryo, leaving gut tube and derivatives outside the body cavity. No peritoneum.