Growth disorders Flashcards
What do agenesis, aplasia and hypoplasia have in common?
All developmental disorders that involve too little growth
Definition of agenesis
An organ does not develop at all
Causes of agenesis
genetic defect / mechanical cause (e.g. obstruction) that prevents stem cell development (no primitive precursor for cell)
Aplasia definition
An organ fails to develop its normal structure from primitive embryonic structure (stem cell/embryonic/precursor fails to develop normally)
Hypoplasia definition
Less tissue is formed but it has a normal structure
Example of hypoplasia oral defect
enamel hypoplasia
Potential cause of enamel hypoplasia
high level of fluoride in drinking water
What is the name of developmental disorders that involve too much growth?
hamartoma
What is a hamartoma?
tumour-like growth (but different to a benign tumour)
When does a hamartoma arise?
during the patient’s growth period (childhood) and stops when growth ceases
Examples of hamartomas
pigmented naevi (moles), haemangioma, lymphangioma
What is the clinical name for a mole?
pigmented naevus
What are pigmented naevi made up of?
large collection of melanocytes that are benign but larger than normal
What is a haemangioma?
A lesion made up of lots of blood vessels / blood filled spaces
What is a lymphangioma?
an abnormal collection of lymphatic vessels / large lymph-filled fluid spaces
What is the name of a dental hamartoma?
odontoma
What is an odontoma?
dental tissue that resembles abnormal teeth or a calcified mass found in an abnormal location e.g. lots of small teeth found in a collection around the mandible
When do haematomas occur?
from birth (lesion regresses in size during first 6 months to become a red patch / birthmark)
Why may (cavernous) haemangiomas cause epilepsy?
Haemangiomas may affect meninges of the brain
What is the name of the syndrome that may be associated with haemangiomas?
Sturge Weber syndrome
Describe the haemangiomas associated with Sturge Weber syndrome
large haemangiomas that follow the course of a particular nerve (e.g. CN Vb)
What is the correct term to refer to haemangiomas that form later in life?
vascular malformations
What are vascular malformations?
collection of blood vessels that become more apparent in adult life
Why are vascular malformations more common in older age?
mucosa atrophies (becomes thinner) / trauma which makes the vasculature more apparent