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Developmental processes and ectodermal contribution to the anal canal in mice.

Kumiko Yamaguchi¹, Juri Kiyokawa, Keiichi Akita

¹Unit of Clinical Anatomy, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan.

Annals of Anatomy = Anatomischer Anzeiger : Official Organ of the Anatomische Gesellschaft

|April 17, 2008

Summary

The development of the anorectal canal was studied in mouse embryos. Findings suggest the entire canal originates from endoderm, with ectoderm forming the external anal sphincter.

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Area of Science:

Developmental biology
Embryology
Anorectal development

Background:

The anorectal canal's development involves both endodermal and ectodermal origins.
The precise role of ectodermal contribution to the lower canal remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the developmental process of the anorectal canal, particularly the ectodermal contribution.
To clarify the formation of the anal canal and external sphincter during embryonic development.

Main Methods:

Serial sagittal sections of mouse embryos were analyzed from embryonic day 13.0 to E18.5.
Three-dimensional reconstructions were generated from the embryonic sections.
Histological analysis focused on the cloacal membrane, transitional zone, and sphincter development.

Main Results:

The endodermal lining extended to the disintegrated cloacal membrane site by E13.5, indicating endodermal origin for the entire canal.
A thickened ectodermal transitional zone between the perineum and tail underwent morphological changes.
The external sphincter muscle emerged in the mesenchyme beneath this thickened ectoderm, acting to shape the ectodermal anal canal.

Conclusions:

The entire anorectal canal is derived from endoderm.
Ectoderm contributes to the anal canal formation through the development of the external sphincter, which shapes the canal.
This study clarifies the embryological origins and developmental mechanisms of the anorectal canal.