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Approach to Spine and Spinal Cord Development
Terminology
Definitions
Morphogenetic fields
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Embryological cellular regions with potential for development into discrete anatomic structures
Gradient fields
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Describe gradually varying potential to form specific individual bones and organs within morphogenetic field
Homeobox genes
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Gene family complexes that regulate early embryologic differentiation
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Located on separate chromosomes
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Arranged linearly in same order as expression along craniocaudal axis
Imaging Protocols
Multiplanar magnetic resonance imaging best evaluates soft tissues, neural structures, and ligaments. Multidetector axial CT with sagittal and coronal reconstruction optimally defines bone anatomy.
Embryology
The spinal axis develops following a (mostly) orderly progression of steps, with the vertebral axis and spinal cord developing synchronously. Embryological spine formation begins in the occipital region, then subsequently commences at multiple other sites simultaneously. These sites progress at different rates and thus will be at different developmental stages at any given point in time. The cephalic spine (to about the conus level) forms by the process of primary neurulation, whereas the caudal spine forms separately by secondary neurulation (also called canalization and retrogressive differentiation). Most spinal anomalies may be explained by 1 or more events going awry during these steps.
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