Spina Bifida: Morphological Features, Molecular Regulations and Signal Pathways

Abstract

The main aim of this article is to review the knowledge about the closure defect of the vertebral column calls spina bifida. The anatomic, embryologic and molecular biologic knowledge about this condition is reevaluated with checking the contentful dry bone collection. Determined spina bifida samples, types in any part of vertebral column reviewed under the light of increasing recent literature. The review also gives attention to the cervical, thoracic regional, anterior and partial closure defect possibilities and clinical conditions, which are not emphasized adequately and are thought as a separate case status but are severe or mild types of spina bifida. Most common sites, especially sacral region of spina bifida and present incidence in different nations assessed and compared with our dry bone series. Regional incidence, types and clinical conditions of spina bifida reviewed under the light of the recent embryologic and molecular biologic studies. This review will give tidy think and aspect of morphology and clinics of spina bifida throughout of the vertebral column. Definition and Background of Spina BifidaSpina bifida means split spine [1]. It occurs when the spinal column does not close all of the ways or spinal column has closing alterations during gestation [2]. In the USA, about 1500 babies are born with spina bifida or brain and spine defects every year. It makes this the most common permanently disabling birth defect [3]. Because of a developmental abnormality of the spinal cord in the first trimester of pregnancy, spina bifida happens [4]. Anatomy of the vertebra, vertebral canal, contents and surrounding tissue is important for understand of embryologic development of spina bifida. Spina bifida emerges as a result of the non-closure of the upper part of the neural tube during embryonal development. It is classified into two main groups: open and closed spina bifida. The reason underlying it is not clearly understood. It is thought to arise as a result of genetic and environmental factors. Various other reasons which are unknown today are also thought to be effective.We checked literature of vertebral anomalies, malformations and clinical conditions including spina bifida. A number of clinical studies have been published in the literature on the closure defect in one part of the vertebral canal and many gross clinical cases of neonate have been reported. Life-incompatible types of spina bifida are frequently mentioned by many authors. In addition, many anatomical studies have been done on dry bone of the sacral canal closure defects. The review gives attention to the cervical, thoracic regional, anterior and partial closure defect possibilities and clinical conditions which are not much emphasized and are thought as a separate case status but are severe or mild types of spina bifida. Regional incidence, types and clinical conditions of spina bifida reviewed under the light of the recent embryologic and molecular biologic studies. This review will give ordinate think and aspect of morphology...