"Anatomy of the abnormal"-a branch of surgical anatomy-deals with relations of an anomaly to surrounding entities. Here, lateral congenital anomalies of the pharyngeal apparatus are examined; their relations to entities of the neck can be explained embryologically. Location of embryonic pharyngeal arches, clefts, and pouches in the adult is presented and terminology of these anomalies (fistulas, sinuses, cysts) is defined. First "cleft and pouch" anomalies relate with the parotid and facial nerve. Second cleft and pouch anomalies course deeply to second arch structures and superficially to third arch structures. Consequently, they relate with hypoglossal and glossopharyngeal nerves and internal and external carotid arteries. Third cleft and pouch anomalies pass deep to third arch entities and superficial to those of the fourth arch and relate with glossopharyngeal, hypoglossal, superior and recurrent laryngeal nerves, and the internal carotid artery. The complicated course of fourth cleft and pouch anomalies brings them into relationship with glossopharyngeal, hypoglossal, superior and recurrent nerves, internal carotid, aorta, and subclavian arteries. Found superficially are veins (external and anterior jugular, common facial, communicating), nerves (transverse cervical, great auricular, mandibular, cervical branches of facial), and relevant spinal nerves (e.g., accessory). Knowledge of these anatomical relations helps prevent anatomical complications.
Introduction And Importance: Rathke's cleft cyst (RCC) are non-malignant lesions arising from remnants of Rathke's pouch in the pituitary gland. Apoplexy is seen commonly in pituitary macroadenomas but very rarely in RCCs.
Case Presentation: A 30-year-old male presented with a severe headache and vomiting.
Rathke cleft cysts are congenital, non-neoplastic sellar cysts derived from remnants of embryonic Rathke pouch. Presentation of Rathke cleft cysts can be incidental; however, in larger cysts, presentation can be with headaches, visual deterioration, and pituitary and endocrine dysfunction. Here we report a rare case of identical twin boys with Rathke cleft cysts, highlighting the likely genetically driven development of cyst in this identical twin and need for cranial imaging in identical twins with anomalies of the brain.
The thymus, a vital immune organ in humans, plays a crucial role in the differentiation and development of T cells. Its normal development commences around the fourth week of gestation, originating from the ectoderm of the third branchial cleft and the endoderm of the third parotid pouch. By the 7-8th week of gestation, the primary thymus migrates towards the central axis.
Kürsteiner canals (KC) are embryological remnants linked to parathyroid and thymic development, with ongoing research aimed at understanding their role in various parathyroid lesions and cysts.
A study evaluated 62 cystic and 22 non-cystic parathyroid lesions over a 12-year period, identifying distinct KC phenotypes in relation to the presence of parathyroid hormone (PTH).
The findings reveal that KC commonly appear in parathyroids, particularly in non-PTH cysts, and suggest that these manifestations may originate from KC, while PTH-positive cysts are associated with different characteristics.
Background: Rathke's cleft cysts (RCCs) are benign fluid-filled cysts that develop in the pituitary gland because of the abnormal embryological development of Rathke's pouch. Most RCCs are small and asymptomatic; however, they can present with symptoms or documented growth, sometimes prompting surgical treatment. For smaller asymptomatic lesions, an unknown proportion demonstrates regression over time.
