Morphogenesis of Anencephaly and Related Malformations
1921; Springer Science+Business Media; Linguagem: Inglês
10.1007/978-3-642-99963-5_4
ISSN0070-2188
Autores Tópico(s)Assisted Reproductive Technology and Twin Pregnancy
ResumoAnencephaly (cranioschisis) is the most representative example of a large heterogeneous group of developmental malformations characterized by abnormalities of the central nervous system and surrounding mesodermal structures. Many of these malformations have been known since ancient times and today many can be reproduced experimentally either by the administration of various teratogens or by mechanical means. Some of these malformations, e.g. anencephaly (cranioschisis) and complete cranio-myeloschisis (craniorhachischisis) represent the most severe abnormalities known to man; others, e.g. localized open myeloschisis (rhachischisis) and meningomyelocele (cystic rhachischisis), although compatible with life, require extensive surgical and medical management; while still others, e.g. occult spina bifida (occult rhachischisis), characterized by localized vertebral defects, often escapeclinical detection. This review does not presume to cover a complete classification of these malformations since there are many intermediate morphological variations which are difficult to classify in one or the other group. It includes, however, the most representative examples of these malformations; furthermore, it points to the extraordinary structural differences existing among them and, it indicates the extremes of severity and the extent of the defects which can occur. This communication, which deals with the analysis of only these malformations, assumes that a clear understanding of their basic defects will help to comprehend better the defects which characterize the entire group.
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