Embryonic Development of the Orbit

Abstract

The embryonic and fetal development of the orbit comprises a series of sequential events, starting with the fertilization of the ovum and extending until birth. Most of the publications dealing with orbital morphogenesis describe the sequential development of each germinal layer, the ectoderm with its neuroectoderm derivative and the mesoderm. This approach provides a clear understanding of the mode of development of each layer but does not give the reader a general picture of the structure of the orbit within any specified time frame. In order to enhance our understanding of the developmental anatomy of the orbit, the authors have summarized the recent developments in orbital morphogenesis, a temporally precise and morphogenetically intricate process. Understanding this multidimensional process of development in prenatal life, identifying and linking signaling cascades, as well as the regulatory genes linked to existing diseases, may pave the way for advanced molecular diagnostic testing, developing minimally invasive interventions, and the use of progenitor/stem cell and even regenerative therapy.

Zusammenfassung

Die embryologische und fetale Entwicklung der Orbita umfasst eine Reihe aufeinanderfolgender, streng regulierter morphogenetischer Entwicklungsschritte, die mit der Befruchtung der Eizelle beginnen und sich von diesem Zeitpunkt an bis zur Geburt erstrecken. Die meisten Veröffentlichungen/Publikationen, die sich mit der Orbitamorphogenese befassen, beschreiben die sequenzielle Entwicklung jeder Keimschicht, des Ektoderms mit seinem Neuroektodermderivat und des Mesoderms. Das vermittelt ein klares Verständnis des Entwicklungsmodus jeder Schicht, gibt jedoch dem Leser kein allgemeines Bild von den Strukturen, deren Entwicklung in einem bestimmten Zeitrahmen vollständig/abgeschlossen wäre. Zum besseren Verständnis der Entwicklungsanatomie der Orbita haben die Autoren die jüngsten Entwicklungen in der Orbitamorphogenese, einem zeitlich präzisen, multifaktoriellen und morphogenetisch komplizierten Prozess, zusammengefasst. Das Verständnis dieses multidimensionalen Entwicklungsprozesses im pränatalen Leben, die Identifizierung und Verknüpfung von Signalkaskaden und regulatorischen Genen mit bestehenden Krankheiten können den Weg für eine fortschrittliche molekulare Diagnostik, die Entwicklung minimalinvasiver Interventionen und den Einsatz von Vorläufer-/Stammzellen und sogar regenerativer Therapie ebnen.

Key words

anatomic abnormalities - embryology - morphogenesis - milestones

Schlüsselwörter

anatomische Anomalien - Embryologie - Morphogenese - Meilensteine

Publication History

Received: 11 August 2021

Accepted: 25 November 2021

Article published online:
04 February 2022

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