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The epipharynx in normo- and pathogenesis
1Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Plzen.
Insights
Human epipharynx development differs in fetuses with central nervous system (CNS) malformations. Abnormalities in CNS development lead to distinct epipharyngeal structures, impacting early human growth.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Human embryology
- Teratology
Background:
- The epipharynx, a crucial part of the developing human pharynx, plays a role in craniofacial development.
- Understanding normal epipharyngeal development is essential for identifying deviations associated with congenital anomalies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphological development of the epipharynx in human ontogeny.
- To compare epipharyngeal development in fetuses with severe central nervous system (CNS) malformations versus normal fetuses.
Main Methods:
- Comparative morphological analysis of epipharyngeal structures.
- Examination of fetal specimens at comparable developmental stages.
- Correlation of epipharyngeal morphology with CNS malformation status.
Main Results:
- Normal epipharyngeal development results in a tube with a right-angle bend.
- Fetuses with CNS malformations exhibit a balloon-like, triangular epipharynx.
- Hydrocephaly is associated with a narrow, nearly vertical epipharyngeal tube.
Conclusions:
- Early epipharyngeal formation is influenced by notochord separation and basicranium development.
- Vertebrogenesis and maxillomandibular complex development also impact epipharyngeal structure.
- CNS malformations significantly alter typical epipharyngeal morphogenesis.
Abstract:
We studied the development of the epipharynx in normal human ontogeny comparing findings in fetuses with severe CNS malformations with those of normal fetuses of a comparable stage of development. Normally, the epipharynx forms a tube and bends at a right angle, whereas, in the fetuses with CNS malformations, the epipharynx develops as a balloon-like form of slightly triangular shape. In hydrocephaly, it formed a narrow tube that was nearly vertical. We concluded that the early formation of the epipharynx is influenced by the separation of the notochord and the formation of the basicranium, by ascendant processes during vertebrogenesis, and by the neotenic development of the maxillomandibular complex.