File:NeuromericOrganization.jpg

The neuromeric organization of the human embryo. Reproduced from Rubenstein, 1994 The forebrain is made up of six prosomeres. These have designated numbers from caudal to cranial. Each prosemere are subdivided into two tiers, dorsal (alar) and ventral (basal). The alar tiers of p6 and p5 gives rise to the telencephalon while the basal tier of p5 and p6 are associated with the visual apparatus and the olfactory respectively. The midbrain is made up of two mesomeres, m1 and m2. These contain the superior and inferior colliculi respectively. The 12 rhombomeres, numbered r0 to r11 gives rise to the hindbrain.

The clinical significance of an understanding of the neuromeric organisation is that it enables us to map out the anatomical site of origin for all zones of ectoderm and mesoderm supplied by a given zone of the nervous system which then allows for anatomical definition and subsequent focus on particular effector genes of congenital abnormalities such as cleft lip and or palate.

Reference

Ember L Ewings, Michael H Carstens Neuroembryology and functional anatomy of craniofacial clefts. Indian J Plast Surg: 2009, 42 Suppl();S19-34 PMID:19884675

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Assessment

+ Excellent neuromeric organization diagram. + legend includes explanation as to why relevant to group topic. - Not exactly clear as to copyright status as the indian journal allows reuse but it is a figure from Rubenstein, 1994.

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