GI Embryology - development of the midgut and hindgut Flashcards
(99 cards)
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